H5- 


BRIG.  GEN.  GEO.  A COBHAM 


EXTRACTS 


— FROM  — 


Letters  of  Brig.  Gen.  Cobham 


ALSO,  A complete  VINDICATION  BY 


GAPT.  JAMES  M.  WELLS,  111th  Fs.  Yols. 


MIRROR  PRINT. 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 
in  2016 


https://archive.org/details/extractsfromlettOOcobh 


LSc.- 


AUTHOR’S  PREFACE. 


These  extracts  from  the  letters  of  Bigadier  General 
George  Ashworth  Cobham,  Jr.,  to  his  mother,  sister  and 
brother  are  respectfnlly  dedicated  to  his  old  comrades  of 
the  Second  Brigade,  Second  Division,  Twelfth  Army 
Corps.  Feeling  his  old  comrades  wonld  be  pleased  with 
these  reminiscences  of  the  hard  fonght  fields  they  have 
passed  over  with  him,  in  mntnal  confidence  and  emnla- 
tion.  Thinking  also  that  the  observations  of  a partici- 
pant in  the  campaign  here  narrated  would  be  fully  as 
accurate  and  intertaining  as  any  history  yet  published,  I 
make  no  excuse  for  giving  them  to  the  public,  and  here 
wish  to  acknowledge  my  obligations  to  Col.  W.  J.  Alex- 
ander for  his  kind  assistance  and  encouragement  of  my 
undertaking.  The  letters  to  his  mother  being  the  most 
descriptive  are  mostly  selected,  but  his  letters  to  my- 
self, if  they  were  not  largely  foreign  to  the  subject, 
would  show  more  completely  the  enate  nobility  of  his 
character. 

Very  Respectfully  yours, 

HENRY  COBHAM. 


Stonylonesome, 

Warren  County,  Pa. 


3 


Camp  Reed,  Erie,  Pa.,  Dec.  13,  1861. 
Dear  Brother: 

We  are  still  in  Erie,  and  when  we  shall  leave  I do 
not  know.  Capt.  Sees,  an  officer  of  the  regular  army, 
arrived  in  camp  yesterday.  He  was  the  bearer  of  dis- 
patches from  the  Governor  to  the  Colonel,  and  compli- 
mented us  very  highly  on  the  appearance  and  drill  of 
our  regiment.  He  says  it  is  the  best  that  has  left  the 
state  for  drill,  size  of  men,  and  number,  the  regiment 
now  numbers  983  men.  I have  had  my  commission 
sent  to  me  from  the  Governor. 

Aquia  Creek,  Va.,  March  21,  1862. 

Dear  Mother: 

The  Second  Division  of  the  Twelfth  Corps,  to  which 
we  belong,  was  received  yesterday  by  Maj.  Gen.  Hooker, 
Commander-in-Chief  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac.  After 
the  troops  had  passed  in  review  and  were  again  formed 
in  line  all  the  commanders  of  regiments  were  called  to 
the  front  and  centre  and  introduced  to  Gen.  Hooker.  I 
had  the  honor  of  being  introduced  to  him  and  shaking 
hands  with  him,  and  of  being  complimented  for  the 
good  appearance  of  the  regiment,  and  told  us  we  should 
have  plenty  to  do  before  long. 


4 

Harpers  Ferry,  May  i,  1862. 

Dear  Mother: 

Received  orders  to  march  to  Strasburg  by  way  of 
Harpers  Ferry,  to  reinforce  Gen.  Banks,  who  was  de- 
feated and  retreating,  pursued  by  Jackson  and  Ewell 
with  20,000  men.  In  one  hour  after  the  receipt  of  the 
order  we  were  in  march  to  the  railroad.  At  6 o’clock 
next  morning  we  reached  Harpers  Ferr^’,  where  our 
tents  and  baggage  was  left.  Two  cars  with  sharpshoot- 
ers left  under  command  of  Col.  Schlaudecker,  the  rest 
of  the  regiment  under  my  command  pushed  on  to  Win- 
chester. We  were  the  first  regiment  that  arrived,  hav- 
ing got  ready  nearly  a day  sooner  than  any  other  regi- 
ment that  received  orders  at  the  same  time.  Onr  orders 
were  to  push  on  as  fast  as  possible  to  assist  Gen.  Banks. 
After  going  about  fifteen  miles,  we  came  up  with  a large 
number  of  stragglers  from  the  fight,  mostly  cavalry- 
soldiers,  some  of  them  had  thrown  away  their  arms  and 
knapsacks,  and  some  of  them  had  their  Sharps’  rifles 
with  them.  They  reported  the  First  Maryland  Regiment 
was  cut  to  pieces,  the  colonel,  major  and  seven  captains 
killed,  and  the  whole  regiment  either  killed,  wounded, 
or  taken  prisoners.  A short  distance  on,  we  were  met 
by  two  trains  containing  the  First  District  of  Columbia 
Cavalry,  who  reported  that  Banks  had  retreated  back  to 
Martinsburg,  and  was  making  a stand,  that  we  were 
half  a day  too  late  too  join  him,  as  it  was  impossible  to 
reach  him  without  attacking  the  Rebel  force.  As  my 
orders  were  to  join  him,  I determined  to  do  so,  and  gave 


5 

orders  to  the  men  to  load  their  rifles  and  move  on. 
When  we  arrived  at  the  place  where  the  two  returning 
trains  of  soldiers  were,  we  came  up  with  the  colonel. 
After  consulting  him,  and  hearing  the  stories  of  the 
retreating  soldiers  who  were  all  badly  frightened,  and 
no  two  told  the  same  story,  with  the  exception  of  the 
retreat  of  Banks,  he  agreed  with  me  to  move  on  with 
our  regiment,  but  the  colonel  of  the  returning  regiment 
flatly  refused  to  go  back,  and  as  the  engineers  of  the 
trains  were  also  afraid  to  go,  we  could  not  get  past  their 
trains.  Meanwhile  the  109th  Regiment  Penn’a.  Vol. 
had  arrived,  and  we  gave  the  men  orders  to  leave  the 
cars  to  march;  but  just  then  a dispatch  came  from  Gen. 
Saxton  to  return  immediately  to  Harpers  Ferry.  Col. 
Schlaudecker  was  sent  for,  to  consult  with  the  com- 
mander there.  Soon  the  general’s  aide  came  up,  gave 
me  a sketch  of  the  roads  etc.,  and  gave  me  orders,  to  go 
immediately  with  the  iiith  to  Bolivar  Heights  and  take 
a position  in  line  of  battle,  and  place  the  other  regiments 
in  line  as  they  arrived,  as  an  immediate  attack  was  ex- 
pected. I marched  to  the  place  indicated,  about  three 
miles,  and  formed  in  line  of  battle  on  the  center  of  the 
Heights;  our  center  in  an  orchard  on  an  estate  which 
was  deserted,  about  equal  distance  from  the  Potomac 
on  one  side,  and  the  Shenandoah  on  the  other.  We 
were  soon  followed  by  the  following  regiments:  109th 
Penn’a.  Vol.,  60th  N.  Y.,  ist  and  2nd  D.  C.  Vol.,  3d  and 
4th  N.  Y.,  3d  Md.,  3d  Del.  and  99th  Penn’a.  Vol.,  all 
infantry;  one  regiment  of  cavalry  and  three  batteries  of 
artillery,  our  line  extended  from  river  to  river. 


6 


Headquarters  iiith  Reg’t.  Penn’a.  Vol. 

Camp  near  Kearnsville  Va.  ) 
May  7,  1862.  / 

Dear  Brother: 

Maj.  Gen.  Seigel  is  now  in  command  of  this  divis- 
ion, and  we  are  pnshing  on  as  fast  as  possible  to  try  to 
overtake  the  forces  of  Gens.  Jackson  and  Ewell,  they  have 
thirty  thousand  men,  so  that  when  we  do  overtake  them 
we  shall  be  likely  to  have  a pretty  hard  fight.  I have 
already  been  in  one,  where  the  iiith  Regiment  with  a 
few  companies  of  cavalry  and  two  pieces  of  artiller\’  kept 
at  bay  the  whole  Rebel  force  from  Charleston  to 
Harpers  Ferry,  and  retreated  in  good  order,  capturing  a 
large  number  of  their  horses  and  arms,  and  some  pris- 
oners; our  loss  was  one  man  killed  and  eight  wounded, 
and  two  horses  killed.  The  shells  and  balls  flew  pretty 
thick  for  awhile,  the  only  wonder  to  me  was  so  few  were 
hurt.  A large  number  of  the  Rebels  were  killed  by  our 
fire.  We  had  very  heavy  cannonading  for  one  night 
and  part  of  the  next  day,  but  the  Rebels  not  having  any 
artillery  large  enough  to  cope  with  the  150  and  200 
pound  Parrot  guns  mounted  on  Maryland  Heights,  they 
had  a large  number  killed  and  wounded,  so  concluded  to 
retreat.  Gen.  Saxton  rode  up  to  our  lines  and  told  me 
to  take  command  of  the  iiith  and  march  them  forsvard 
to  support  the  batteries,  as  he  had  more  confidence  in  it 
than  any  of  the  others. 


7 


Camp  in  the  Woods  near  Winchester,  Va.,  1 

June  5,  1862.  J 

Dear  Mother: 

Our  regiment  has  been  in  one  fight  since  we  left, 
succeeded  in  holding  Harpers  Ferry  and  driving  back 
the  Confederate  forces,  although  more  than  four  times 
our  number.  The  iiith  was  selected  to  make  the  first 
advance,  and  we  have  been  in  advance  most  of  the  time 
since.  On  Monday  evening  last  we  received  orders  to 
march  immediately  to  try  to  overtake  Jackson’s,  Ashley’s 
and  Ewell’s  forces,  who  were  in  full  retreat  toward  Win- 
chester, and  kept  on  through  the  worst  rain  and  mud  I 
ever  saw  until  we  came  to  the  Rebel  camp,  where  they 
had  encamped  with  their  whole  army,  we  halted,  and 
occupied  the  same  ground.  The  camp  is  the  ground  on 
which  the  battle  took  place  last  week  between  Gen. 
Banks  and  the  Rebels.  There  are  ten  regiments  of  in- 
fantry, one  of  cavalry  and  one  artillery.  Gen.  Seigel  is 
now  in  command. 


Camp  on  Cedar  Creek,  near  Strasburg,  Va.  1 

June  23,  1862.  / 

Dear  Brother: 

I am  now  in  command  of  the  regiment  and  have 
been  for  some  time  past.  I have  also  the  superintend- 
ence of  the  new  bridge  at  this  place.  It  was  put  under 
the  charge  of  the  topographical  engineers  of  the  regular 
army,  but  after  he  had  fussed  about  it  for  some  time  the 


8 


general  sent  for  me  and  requested  as  a favor  that  I would 
superintend  it,  as  I was  the  only  practical  bridge  builder 
in  the  division.  My  rank  clears  me  from  being  detailed 
for  duties  of  that  kind,  but  I did  accept  the  office.  The 
whole  of  the  forces  are  now  concentrated  near  this  place 
and  I presume  they  will  all  be  put  under  the  command 
of  Gen.  Fremont,as  he  is  the  senior  general.  There  are  one- 
hundred  and  twenty  peices  of  artillery  of  the  best  descrip- 
tion attached  to  this  force.  The  number  of  men  I do  not 
know  they  are  variously  estimated  at  from  forty  to  sixty 
thousand,  but  figures  are  contraband  and  attack  is  ex- 
pected here  soon,  but  with  the  exception  of  the  occa- 
sional shooting  of  the  men  on  picket  duty  nothing  has 
taken  place  yet.  The  general  sent  for  all  the  command- 
ing officers  of  regiments,  battalions  and  batteries  to  report 
at  nine  this  morning,  he  shook  hands  with  me  and  ex- 
pressed himself  much  pleased  with  the  promptness  of 
my  regiment,  as  we  were  always  the  first  to  obey  any 
order  and  are  invariably  the  first  in  line  and  ready  to 
march  and  is  always  selected  if  any  regiment  is  wanted 
for  any  special  service. 


Strasburg,  Va.,  July  2,  1862. 

Dear  Mother: 

We  have  not  had  any  fighting  here  yet,  there  are  all 
kinds  of  rumors  in  camp  to  day  from  Richmond  some 
stating  that  it  is  taken  and  others  that  our  forces  were 
defeated,  it  is  impossible  to  tell  which  is  true,  but  in  my 
opinion  we  have  at  least  gained  nothing  and  if  IMcClellan 


9 

is  defeated  at  Richmond  in  all  probability  a large  part  of 
the  Rebel  forces  will  be  concentrated  to  sweep  down  this 
valley  and  try  to  drive  us  back  to  Harpers  Ferry  and  to 
secure  for  the  Southern  army,  the  large  crop  of  grain 
now  ripe  in  the  valley  of  Virginia. 

Camp  at  Gaines  Cross  Roads,  Va.  1 
July  19,  1862.  / 

t)EAR  Mother: 

Precisely  at  four  we  left  camp  at  Warrentown,  our 
regiment  taking  the  lead  and  followed  by  all  the  rest 
with  a train  of  baggage  wagons  two  miles  in  length, 
after  marching  three  or  four  hours  we  heard  distant 
cannonading,  which  grew  louder  as  we  advanced  and  con- 
tinued for  some  time  but  the  cause  of  it  I do  not  know. 

In  this  interval  Col.  Cobham  was  taken  sick  with 
typhoid  fever  and  came  near  dying,  and  was  absent 
some  months  from  the  army. 

Harpers  Ferry,  Oct.  23,  1862. 

Dear  Mother: 

I left  Baltimore  yesterday  morning  for  this  place 
and  procured  a horse  and  rode  to  London  Heights,  where 
the  regiment  is  now  stationed  and  found  only  ninety 
men  fit  for  duty  out  of  the  thousand  I left,  from  here  we 
could  see  the  tents  of  the  Grand  Army,  the  whole  ground 
covered  for  many  miles  and  in  the  distance  could  plainly 
see  the  watch  fires  of  the  Confederates  and  their  advanced 
pickets  a short  distance  from  ours  which  plainly  indi- 
cates that  the  present  quiet  state  cannot  last  long. 


lO 

Harpers  Ferry,  Oct.  29  1862. 

Dear  Mother: 

The  division  to  which  the  iiith  Regiment  is  now 
attached  was  the  first  to  move.  We  left  London  Heights 
yesterday  morning  and  marched  np  the  valley  towards 
Leesburg,  accompanied  by  the  First,  Second  and  Third 
Brigade  of  Gen.  Burnsides’  Corps  under  the  command  of 
Gen.  Geary.  Our  regiment  has  been  assigned  to  the  third 
Brigade,  which  is  composed  of  the  iiith  and  109th 
Penn’a  Regiments  and  the  78th  137th  and  146th  New 
York  Regiments  and  we  are  attached  to  Burnsides’  Corps. 
I have  been  trying  to  gather  together  the  scattering  men 
belonging  to  the  1 1 ith  Regiment  who  are  at  the  different 
hospitals  and  think  w’e  will  have  about  four  hundred  fit 
for  service. 

Camp  on  Boli^■ar  Heights, 

Nov.  I,  1862. 

Dear  Mother: 

The  forward  movement  of  McClellan’s  army  com- 
menced yesterday  morning  about  2 o’clock,  and  from  that 
time  the  troops  have  been  passing  through  the  town  in 
one  unbroken  line,  regiment  after  regiment  passing  along 
until  it  w^as  tiresome  to  see  them  pass,  there  were  regi- 
ments from  all  the  loyal  states,  among  the  rest  one 
from  California.  Many  of  them  were  new  regiments 
whose  bright  new  uniforms,  arms  and  accounterments 
formed  a great  contrast  to  the  remains  of  the  old  regi- 
ment, many  of  which  were  reduced  down  to  two  or  three 
hundred  men.  Some  of  their  colors  were  so  full  of  ball 


II 


holes  that  there  was  scarcely  enough  to  hold  them 
together.  Our  regiment  left  and  went  one  days  march 
with  Gen.  Burnside,  but  were  recalled  to  present  camp 
together  with  the  whole  of  Gen.  Geary’s  command,  I am 
in  command  of  the  regiment.  Col.  Schlaudecker  com- 
manding the  brigade. 

Bolivar  Hights,  Nov.  6,  1862. 

Dear  Mother: 

The  information  you  received  of  my  being  sick  at 
Baltimore  was  true,  I stayed  there  for  three  days  and  re- 
ported to  the  medical  director,  who  gave  me  some  medi- 
cine and  told  me  to  report  to  Gen.  Wood  and  get  order 
for  medical  treatment,  but  as  I knew  if  I reported  to  him 
I should  be  under  his  orders  and  perhaps  sent  to  com- 
mand some  convalescent  camp  which  would  keep  me  from 
joining  my  regiment  for  some  time  I preferred  to  join  it  at 
once.  I am  now  well  and  in  command  of  the  regiment 
in  camp  at  the  fort  of  Bolivar  Heights.  I have  been  busy 
in  reorganizing  the  regiment,  and  have  at  last  succeeded 
in  getting  an  order  from  Gov.  Curtin  for  five  hundred 
and  seventy-one  men,  from  the  recruits  recently  drafted 
from  Pennsylvania  which  is  the  number  required  to  fill 
up  the  regiment  to  its  original  number  of  one  thousand 
men.  I sent  Lieut.  Wells  and  two  non-commissioned 
officers  to  Harrisburg  last  Monday,  to  take  charge  of 
them,  and  conduct  them  to  camp.  I expect  they  will 
be  here  next  week.  The  army  has  all  moved  forward, 
with  the  exception  of  Gen.  Geary’s  division,  to  which 
we  are  attached;  it  is  left  here  for  the  defense  of  Har- 


12 


pers  Ferry.  For  the  last  few  days  there  has  been  an 
incessant  cannonading  heard  in  the  direction  of  the 
army,  but  the  cause  or  the  result  I do  not  know.  The 
pickets  of  the  rebels  are  in  sight  of  our  outposts.  Yes- 
terday I was  appointed  Division  Field  Officer  of  the  Day 
and  was  not  out  of  the  saddle  for  twenty-four  hours. 
The  duty  consists  in  posting  the  picket  guards  and  out- 
posts, and  visiting  them  both  day  and  night  and  in- 
structing the  sentinels.  The  day  before  yesterday  two 
of  the  picket  guards  were  captured;  two  belonged  to  the 
I nth.  The  orders  had  been  not  to  fire  on  the  enemy’s 
pickets,  but  yesterday  when  I took  charge  of  the  guard, 
I ordered  them  to  shoot  at  every  Rebel  who  came  within 
range  of  their  rifles.  Just  at  dusk  the  Rebels  made 
another  dash  on  the  guards  stationed  at  the  same 
pos  twhere  the  men  were  captured  the  night  before 
but  were  received  with  a salute  from  the  rifles  of 
the  guard  and  scampered  off  double  quick. 

Headquarters  iiith  Penn’a.  Vol.  1 
Boliver  Heights,  Nov.  i6,  1862.  / 

Dear  Mother: 

Col.  Schlaudecker  has  received  his  papers  for  an 
honorable  discharge  from  the  regiment,  which  was  drawn 
up  in  line  and  the  command  formally  delivered  to  me. 

Headquarters  iiith  Penn’a.  Vol. 

Harpers  Ferr\’,  Nov.  13,  1862.  J 

Devr  Mother: 

I suppose  3^ou  have  seen  the  account  of  the  attack 
on  the  Rebels  at  Charleston  by  troops  from  this  place. 


13 

I was  ordered  out  with  regiment  at  midnight  to  join  the 
expedition,  and  when  the  attack  commenced  was  or- 
dered up  to  support  the  batteries  with  the  iiith.  As 
soon  as  the  batteries  opened  fire  the  enemy  retreated, 
leaving  the  camp  with  their  breakfast  cooked  behind 
them.  I was  sent  with  my  regiment  and  three  others 
from  the  same  brigade  to  outflank  them,  but  they  being 
cavalry,  did  not  succeed  in  doing  so.  All  four  regiments 
were  under  my  command.  We  took  a number  of  horses 
and  beef  cattle  and  did  not  lose  a man. 


■ Headquarters  iiith  Penn’a  Vol.  ) 
Harpers  Ferry,  Dec.  7.  1862.  ) 

Dear  Mother: 

I have  just  returned  from  an  expedition  to  Win- 
chester and  Berrysville.  We  came  up  with  the  enemy’s 
rear  guard  near  Berrysville  and  some  sharp  firing  took 
place.  I was  ordered  to  the  front  with  my  regiment, 
to  support  the  batteries.  I did  not  lose  a man  in  our 
regiment,  either  killed  or  wounded.  Followed  on  to 
Winchester  and  took  possession  of  the  town,  which  was 
strongly  fortified  by  the  Rebels,  who  were  commanded 
by  Gen.  A.  P.  Hill  and  Gen.  Jackson;  they  thought 
best  to  leave.  The  weather  was  very  cold;  on  our  return 
it  snowed,  making  it  anything  but  pleasant  to  sleep  on 
the  ground,  with  the  snow  blowing  over  you,  as  we  had 
to  do  for  six  nights,  and  eat  frozen  bread  and  raw  pork. 


14 

Headquarters  iiith  Penn’a.  Vols.  ) 
Camp  near  Fairfax  C.  H.,  Dec.  13th,  1862.  ) 

Dear  Mother: 

Deft  Harpers  Ferry  and  arrived  at  this  place  after 
four  days  more  marching.  We  have  about  five  days 
more  marching  to  reach  Frederickburg.  We  had  ta 
lay  oi;r  blankets  in  the  snow  two  nights,  and  in  the  mud 
the  other  two. 

Camp  in  the  Woods,  Dec.  19th,  1862. 
Dear  Mother: 

Our  orders  came  unexpectedly  for  the  whole  force 
to  march  immediately  to  the  assistance  of  Gen.  Burn- 
sides, and  for  the  last  eleven  days  we  have  been  on  the 
march,  part  of  the  time  by  night;  also  the  mnd  defies 
description.  I never  saw  anything  like  it;  many  fine 
horses  stuck  fast,  and  no  effort  on  the  part  of  the  soldiers 
could  extract  them  and  they  were  left  to  die  where 
they  fell.  We  crossed  Ocoquan  river  about  noon,  it  is 
a stream  about  the  size  of  the  Conewango.  We  had  to 
wade  it,  which,  at  this  season  of  the  year,  is  not  very 
pleasant.  I was  officer  of  the  Grand  Guard  and  had  to 
go  the  rounds,  and  bring  in  all  the  picket  guards  from  a 
circle  of  over  five  miles,  in  worse  than  Egyptian  dark- 
ness and  rain.  The  cannonading  at  Fredericksburg, 
which  is  in  our  front,  is  the  heaviest  I ever  heard.  Inces- 
sant discharges  of  the  large  seige  guns  making  the  ver\- 
earth  shake;  there  being  one  hundred  and  fifty  at  one 
time  by  Burnside  and  probably  as  many  more  on  the  Rebel 
side.  We  were  again  on  the  march  for  the  scene  of  action. 


15 

when  orders  came  to  retrace  our  steps  to  Fairfax  Station 
to  protect  the  military  stores  at  that  place.  We  have 
marched  now  eleven  days,  without  anything  to  eat  from 
5 a.  m.  to  8 p.  m.,  and  then  only  a small  piece  of  salt 
pork — sometimes  not  that.  As  soon  as  we  had  stacked 
arms  and  a fire  was  built,  I sat  down  on  a log  with  the 
regimental  order  book  to  write  to  you.  We  came  up 
with  the  enemy’s  rear  guard  at  Berry ville,  and  some 
pretty  sharp  firing  took  place.  I was  immediately 
ordered  front  with  the  iiith,  to  support  the  batteries. 
We  did  not  lose  a man  in  our  regiment,  either  killed 
or  wounded.  We  followed  on  to  Winchester  and  took 
possession  of  the  town,  strongly  fortified.  The  Rebels 
under  Gen.  A.  P.  Hill  and  Gen.  Jackson,  left  as  we 
entered;  we  hurried  them  by  a salute  of  shell  in  their 
rear. 

Camp  near  Fairfax  Station,  Jan.  ist,  1863. 
Dear  Brother: 

We  just  returned  from  another  expedition  towards 
Dumfries;  we  had  a fight  with  some  of  the  Rebel  forces 
on  the  other  side  of  Ocoquan  river,  and  drove  them  back. 
Their  loss  I do  not  know,  nor  do  I know  the  number 
of  killed  on  our  side;  those  I saw  were  mostly  from  the 
17th  P.  V.  Our  regiment  had  none  killed  or  wounded. 
We  were  immediately  ordered  to  the  front  to  support 
Knapp’s  battery,  which  was  then  doing  all  the  firing. 
I had  my  command  of  the  iiith,  and  of  another 
regiment,  the  109th  Penn’a.  Vols.  also.  We  started  at 
nine  o’clock  in  the  evening  of  the  28th  and  marched  all 


i6 

night  and  all  the  next  day,  and  returned  to  camp  yester- 
day. Our  wagons  were  ordered  back  to  prevent  capture 
by  the  enemy’s  cavalry,  and  as  I had  nothing  to  eat  but 
what  was  in  our  regimental  wagon,  I had  the  pleasure 
of  going  without  for  two  days  and  a night. 

Aquia  Creek  Landing,  Feb.  nth,  1863. 
Dear  Mother: 

Received  commission  as  Colonel  of  the  iiith 
Regiment  of  Penn’a  Vols.,  to  rank  as  such  from  Nov. 
7th,  1862.  And  I have  been  mustered  into  the  United 
States  service  from  the  same  date.  My  commission  was 
accompanied  by  a kind  letter  from  Gov.  Curtin  to  me. 
My  promotion  has  given  very  general  satisfaction  in  the 
regiment. 

Acquia  Creek,  Va.,  Mar.  14th,  1863. 

Dear  Brother: 

The  Rebels  attacked  our  camp  last  night  and  were 
repulsed.  I think  we  shall  have  some  hard  fighting  be- 
fore long,  as  we  are  ordered  to  be  in  immediate  readiness 
to  move.  Our  regiment  has  just  received  quite  a com- 
pliment from  the  Commander-in-Chief  of  the  army.  In 
General  Orders  No.  18,  Army  of  the  Potomac,  he  says: 
“It  appearing  from  the  Inspector’s  Report  that  the  iiith 
Penn’a  Vols.  has  earned  hign  commendation,  they  are 
entitled  to  send  one  more  enlisted  man  on  furlough,  for 
every  hundred  men  reported  for  duty,  and  one  more 
commissioned  officer  than  was  previously  allowed.’’ 
You  may  readily  believe  we  are  proud  of  it. 


17 


Camp  Geary,  Va.,  April  14th,  1863. 

Dear  Brother: 

The  whole  Army  of  the  Potomac  are  now  on  the 
move,  and  in  all  probability  before  this  reaches  you, 
this  regiment  will  have  added  its  feeble  mite  to  the 
Grand  Army  of  the  Potomac,  in  one  of  the  most  desper- 
ate struggles  that  has  yet  taken  place.  I have  never 
seen  so  much  preparation  for  wounded  men  as  is  being 
made.  What  position  we  take  I do  not  know,  but 
understand  it  is  to  be  the  right  of  the  advance.  It  is 
the  determination  of  all  the  army  to  be  successfiil  this 
time;  but  the  victory  will  be  dearly  bought. 

Headquarters  2d  Brig.,  2d  Div.,  12th  A.  C.  ) 
May  8th,  1864.  ) 

Dear  Sister: 

I have  just  returned  from  the  battlefield  of  Chan- 
cellorsville.  The  fight  commenced  on  the  ist  day  of 
May  and  continued  the  ist,  2d,  3d  and  4th.  The  iiith 
Penn’a  Vols.  was  the  first  to  advance.  It  is  said  to  be 
the  most  desperate  battle  that  has  yet  taken  place.  We 
left  camp  on  the  27th  and  marched  to  Kellies  Ford,  on 
the  Rappahannock,  which  we  reached  on  the  morning  of 
the  29th,  at  five  o’clock.  The  water  was  very  high  and 
we  crossed,  without  any  material  opposition  from  the 
enemy,  on  a pontoon  bridge;  from  thence  we  took  the 
direction  of  Germania,  on  the  Rapidan  river.  We  ar- 
rived at  that  place  about  midnight.  The  advance  of 
the  column  surprised  and  captured  the  Rebel  Pioneer 
Corps,  who  were  building  a bridge.  We  crossed  the 


i8 


river  at  one  o’clock  a.  m.,  in  a severe  rain  storm,  and 
lay  on  our  anns  till  daylight,  and  then  after  eating  a 
hard  cracker  soaked  with  rain  for  breakfast,  we  again 
marched  forward.  About  ten  o’clock  a.  m , the  enemy 
began  to  open  fire  on  our  advancing  columns  with  artil- 
lery, from  different  points  which  commanded  the  road, 
but  were  soon  silenced,  and  we  marched  on  to  the  junc- 
tion of  the  road  from  Elys  Ford,  and  one  from  the  United 
States  Ford,  on  the  Rappahannock,  where  we  were 
joined  by  the  5th  Army  Corps,  who  had  surprised  one 
brigade  of  Rebels,  who  were  digging  rifle  pits,  and  routed 
them,  taking  a number  of  prisoners.  From  here  we 
marched  to  a small  place  called  Chancellorsville,  and 
filing  to  the  right,  for  the  first  time  since  starting,  we 
laid  down  on  the  ground  and  slept  soundly.  As  the 
night  was  dry  and  warm,  and  the  men  had  marched  with 
eight  days’  rations  on  their  back,  and  sixty  rounds  of 
cartridges — we  had  no  wagons  or  transportation  of  any 
kind.  The  next  morning  about  nine  o’clock  our  scouts 
reported  the  enemy  to  be  in  force  on  our  front.  Our 
brigade  was  ordered  forward  to  reconnoitre  their  position 
and  if  possible  to  ascertain  their  force.  ]\Iy  own  regi- 
ment, the  I nth,  being  placed  in  advance.  The  whole 
country  was  a dense  forest,  so  that  no  view  could  be  had. 
We  deployed  as  skirmishers  and  advanced  through  the 
woods  for  about  a mile,  when  our  sharpshooters  came  up 
with  those  of  the  enemy,  when  the  firing  commenced. 
The  Rebels  also  commenced  shelling  the  woods  in  our 
front,  from  batteries  which  no  one  could  see.  We  how- 


19 

ever,  moved  forward  and  drove  them  back  till  we  had 
accomplished  our  object  of  finding  out  the  position  of 
their  batteries  and  the  number  of  their  troops.  I ordered 
my  men  to  lay  down  flat,  and  the  shot  and  shell  all 
passed  over  our  heads  without  injuring  anyone.  As  soon 
as  the  fire  ceased  orders  came  from  the  general  to  fall 
back  to  our  former  position,  as  we  had  but  one  brigade 
and  the  enemy  had  about  200,000  men  in  our  front.  I 
was  ordered  to  remain  and  protect  the  rear  with  my  reg- 
iment, which  I did  under  a heavy  fire.  As  soon  as  the 
other  regiment  had  reached  their  position  I was  sent  out 
to  bring  in  a section  of  Knapps’  battery,  which  I did 
with  small  loss.  One  ball  cut  the  hair  on  the  left  side 
of  my  head,  but  did  me  no  harm.  The  Rebels  now 
attacked  us  with  all  their  force  and  our  batteries  having 
got  into  position  and  the  troops  of  our  division  into  line, 
they  met  with  such  a reception  as  they  did  not  except, 
they  advanced  in  close  column  with  a loud  cheer  and  a 
heavy  fire  from  their  front  lines,  supported  with 
batteries,  we  let  them  come  on  until  within  half  rifle 
shot,  when  the  order  was  given  to  fire,  both  infantry 
and  artillery  opened  upon  them,  the  fire  on  both  sides 
was  terrible,  the  grape  and  canister  mowed  them  down 
by  hundreds,  bnt  still  their  officers  urged  them  on,  and 
they  moved  forward  to  share  the  fate  of  their  com- 
rades. At  last  finding  that  they  had  met  with  a resist- 
ance they  did  not  expect  they  slowly  withdrew  leaving 
a very  large  number  of  killed  and  wounded  behind  them. 
The  night  was  passed  in  constructing  rifle  pits,  as  we 


20 


had  neither  picks  nor  shovels  the  men  dug  up  the  earth 
with  their  bayonets,  and  threw  it  up  with  their  tin 
plates  and  pieces  of  wood,  which  with  the  help  of  a few 
trees  cut  down  made  quite  a breastwork,  which  before 
morning  extended  eight  miles.  Saturday  morning,  the 
2nd,  the  enemy  again  attacked  our  line,  but  were  again 
driven  back  with  great  loss,  retiring  under  cover  of  their 
artillery.  During  the  day  they  tried  our  lines  in  several 
places  but  were  driven  back  with  loss  every  time. 
About  3 o’clock  P,  M.  the  iiith  was  ordered  to  take  a 
battery  in  our  front;  we  moved  forward,  and  as  I was 
leading  the  regiment,  I received  a shot  in  my  left  breast; 
it  passed  through  my  leather  pocketbook  which  was  full 
of  bank  bills  and  papers,  a number  of  photographs,  a 
memorandum  book,  my  field  notes,  and  struck  my  gold 
watch  which  it  smashed  all  to  pieces,  but  with  the  ex- 
ception of  a severe  bruise  I escaped  unhurt.  The  Rebels 
finding  themselves  unable  to  force  our  lines  at  that  point 
retreated,  and  for  a short  time  all  was  still  save  the 
groans  of  the  wounded.  About  sunset  the  firing  again 
commenced  on  our  right  and  the  whole  of  Gen.  Lee’s  and 
Jackson’s  army  made  a simultaneous  attack  on  the  nth 
army  corps, — Sigel’s  old  corps — which  broke  and  fell 
back,  letting  the  enemy  into  our  center,  they  came  on  in 
one  solid  colunm  into  the  ver\'  center  of  our  position, 
the  artillery  was  immediately  brought  to  oppose  them 
and  some  other  troops  brought  forward  to  assist  the  i2th 
corps  to  drive  them  back  and  recover  the  ground  which 
the  Dutch  corps  had  lost.  It  was  now  dark,  and  the 


21 


scene  that  took  place  is  beyond  my  power  to  describe, 
every  piece  of  artillery  that  was  possible  to  get  was  put 
in  requisition  on  both  sides,  the  flashes  of  the  cannon  and 
musketry  made  it  almost  as  light  as  day  and  it  seemed 
as  if  the  very  earth  was  rent  assunder  by  the  concussion 
of  the  guns,  and  a perfect  tornado  of  shot  and  shell, 
grape,  canister,  rifle  and  musket  balls  filled  the  air,  splint- 
ering the  trees  into  flagments,  tearing  up  the  ground  and 
literaily  mowing  down  everything  before  it.  The  Rebels 
advanced  through  it  with  undaunted  courage  determined 
to  take  our  batteries,  which  cut  them  down  by  the  hun- 
dred at  a time,  and  the  increasing  fire  of  the  infantry  cut 
them  down  as  fast  as  the  living  could  come  up  to  the  pile 
of  dead,  slowly  at  last  the  Rebels  gave  way  and  with  a 
cheer  our  forces  drove  them  over  the  rifle  pits  and  re- 
sumed our  former  position.  Can  ray  dear  sister  picture 
to  herself  such  a scene  as  this  battle  field  presented  at 
this  time  ? A beautiful,  still  summer’s  night,  and  nothing 
to  be  heard  but  the  low  supressed  groans  of  the  wounded 
who  covered  the  ground  in  thousands,  friend  and  foe  to- 
gether. I have  seen  many  hard  sights  but  I never  wish 
to  see  such  another  as  this.  In  the  midst  of  this  scene  I 
laid  down  on  the  ground  and  went  to  sleep.  Both  armies 
slept  that  night  on  their  arms,  but  a short  distance  apart. 
I awoke  next  morning  at  daybreak,  it  was  a beautiful 
Sunday  morning,  and  got  up,  my  sleep  you  may 
imagine  was  anything  but  refreshing.  I left  my  regi- 
ment for  a minute  to  go  to  a small  spring  to  get  some 
water,  and  while  washing  myself  I heard  the  sharp  crack 


22 


of  a rifle  close  by  accompanied  by  the  sharp  wistle  of  the 
ball  followed  in  rapid  sucession  by  others,  and  on  look- 
ing up  I saw  that  the  “Grey  Backs”  were  again  advanc- 
ing on  our  picket  line,  and  the  sharp  crack  of  the  rifles 
began  to  be  heard  along  the  whole  line.  I immediately 
rejoined  my  regiment  and  in  a short  time  the  scene  of 
the  previous  evening  were  being  again  enacted  only  on  a 
more  extensive  scale.  If  you  can  picture  to  yourself  a 
rain  of  bomb  shells  and  bullets  it  would  be  something  like 
it.  One  of  my  ofiicers  w'as  struck  in  the  breast  with  one 
and  instantly  killed.  Two  soldiers  standing  near  me 
had  the  top  of  their  heads  shot  off,  spattering  their  brains 
in  our  faces.  The  fire  on  the  position  which  our  regi- 
ment new  occupied  came  on  us  from  three  sides,  front, 
rear  and  right  flank, we  were  ordered  to  fall  back,  which 
we  did  and  took  position  in  rear  of  our  artillery,  and  in 
connection  with  the  first  division  of  the  I2th  army  corps 
and  again  formed  line.  The  whole  army  fell  back  to 
this  point,  checked  the  Rebel  forces  and  held  the  ground, 
the  fighting  on  this  day  was  desperate  on  both  sides  and 
the  loss  very  great.  I received  another  ball  through  my 
coat  but  it  did  not  hurt  me.  The  fighting  here  ceased 
about  two  o’clock.  The  day  was  exceedingly  warm, 
water  scarce  and  to  add  to  the  difficulties  we  had  to  en- 
counter the  woods  which  every  day  caught  fire  from  the 
shells  in  all  directions.  I have,  as  you  know,  seen  fire 
in  the  woods,  but  this  beat  all  I ever  saw,  you  can  im- 
agine the  effect  of  such  stifling  heat  and  smoke  on  men 
exhausted  with  seven  days  of  severe  toil;  and  three  of 


23 

them  fighting,  with  little  rest  and  seant  rations.  I for- 
got to  mention  that  I captured  during  the  fighting  this 
day,  the  battle  flag  of  the  5th  Alabama  regiment  and  the 
captain  who  carried  it.  He  surrendered  his  sword  and 
flag  to  me  and  I broiight  them  safely  with  me.  The 
captian’s  name  was  Mosely.  The  flag  had  the  names  of 
eight  battles  on  it.  During  the  night  of  the  3rd  Gen. 
Kane  was  compelled  to  retire,  being  sick  and  perfectly 
exhausted  by  fatigue  and  exposure.  And  I was  placed 
in  command  of  the  2nd  Brigade  composed  of  six  regi- 
ments, we  moved  down  a short  distance  towards  the 
United  States  Ford  and  threw  up  a new  set  of  breast- 
works and  rifle  pits  near  a small  stream  called  Mine 
river,  we  remained  there  that  night  and  the  next  day  un- 
molested with  the  exception  of  one  small  attack  on  our 
right  during  the  night  which  was  repulsed.  About  three 
o’clock  in  the  afternoon  it  commenced  raining  and  the 
weather  changed  from  warm  to  very  cold  and  it  rained  a 
perfect  deluge,  we  were  without  tents  of  any  kind  but  I 
heard  no  complaint  from  any  one.  We  had  by  this  time 
exhausted  our  rations,  and  it  being  impossible  to  furnish 
them  by  railroad  on  account  of  the  failure  of  Gen.  Sedg- 
wick to  connect  with  the  army  by  way  of  Fredricksburg 
and  the  road  being  so  bad  that  they  could  not  be  sup- 
plied in  time,  it  was  determined  to  recross  the  Rappa- 
hannock river  and  take  up  our  former  position  on  the 
other  side  of  the  river.  About  ten  o’clock  at  night  I 
received  notice  the  army  would  cross  that  night  and  that 
my  brigade  would  remain  till  all  the  rest  of  the  army  had 


24 

crossed  and  then  fall  back  in  as  good  order  as  possible 
and  cover  the  rest  of  the  arm^^  Accordingly  at  four 
o’clock  in  the  morning,  the  others  all  being  gone,  I put 
the  column  into  motion  and  silently  in  the  dark  passed 
on  to  the  river  which  we  reached  at  daybreak,  I remained 
on  the  ground  till  all  had  passed,  drew  in  the  pickets  and 
followed  on  in  company  with  Gen.  Kane,  overtook  the 
brigade  and  got  them  all  safely  over  the  pontoon 
bridge  without  the  loss  of  a man.  Gen.  Kane  was  sent 
in  an  ambulance  to  Stafford,  from  there  to  Philadelphia. 
Whatever  the  newspapers  say  to  the  contrar)’,  I know 
that  we  had  the  advantage  in  ever}'  respect  and  the  re- 
treat to  the  river  and  crossing  was  rendered  necessary 
merely  on  account  of  want  of  supplies.  We  lost  twenty- 
.six  officers  and  men  killed  and  wounded  in  the  iiith 
regiment.  I think  from  what  I saw,  and  I saw  the 
v/hole  fight — being  the  first  regiment  to  enter  it  and  in 
command  of  the  last  brigade  to  leave  the  field  - that  the 
loss  in  killed  and  wounded  on  our  side  must  be  at  least 
nine  thousand  men  killed  and  wounded  and  at  least 
double  that  on  the  Rebel  side,  we  took  between  two  and 
three  thousand  prisoners.  The  only  relic  I brought  off 
the  field  was  a small  bible  which  I picked  up  and  put  in 
my  pocket  as  we  came  off  the  field.  I can  say  with  the 
Psalmist  of  old,  I have  seen  a thousand  fall  beside  me 
and  ten  thousand  at  my  right  hand.  But  it  has  pleased 
the  Almighty  to  bring  me  out  in  safefy.  I am  qxiite  well. 
The  I nth  behaved  nobly;  and  have  received  much 
praise.  In  fact  the  whole  of  the  i2th  corps  have  done 


25 

all  it  was  possible  for  men  to  do.  I think  Gen.  Geary 
our  division  commander  deserves  every  praise  for  his  en- 
ergy, coolness  and  courage  during  the  whole  time  his 
division  was  engaged.  And  Major  Gen.  Slocum,  also, 
the  commander  of  the  1 2th  army  corps.  I am  now  in 
command  of  the  2nd  Brigade,  2nd  Division,  12th  Army 
Corps  and  am  ready  to  move  forward  again  at  any  time 
and  will  try  to  do  my  duty  wherever  I may  be  placed 
and  under  all  circumstances. 


Camp  of  the  iiith  Penna.  Vols.  i 
May  8th,  1863.  J 

Dear  Mother: 

I have  just  returned  from  the  field  of  battle  at 
Chancellorsville,  the  fight  commenced  on  the  ist  of  May 
and  continued  four  days.  Our  regiment  was  the  first  to 
advance,  and  the  first  man  killed  was  one  of  the  iiith. 
We  lost  26  officers  and  men.  We  were  under  fire  all  the 
time,  and  have  seen  thousands  fall  around  me.  It  has 
pleased  the  Almighty  to  spare  my  life.  The  iiith  be- 
haved nobly.  I captured  with  my  own  hands  the  battle 
flag  of  the  5th  Alabama  Regiment  with  the  names  of 
nine  battles  inscribed  on  it,  and  the  captain  who  com- 
manded the  color  company  surrendered  me  his  sword 
and  flag.  I am  now  in  command  of  Gen.  Kane’s  brigade. 
I cannot  tell  what  was  our  loss,  but  think  it  not  less 
than  six  thousand  and  the  Rebels  ten  thousand.  The 
regiment  has  been  highly  complimented. 


26 


Headquarters  2d  Brigade,  2d  Div.,  12th  A.  C.  1 

May  13th,  1863.  / 

Dear  Mother: 

We  have  now  rettirned  to  within  one  mile  of  the 
camp,  and  think  it  possible  we  may  remain  here  a week 
or  two. 

Headquarters  2d  Brigade,  2d  Div.,  2d  Army  Corps,  ) 
Near  Aquia  Creek,  Va.,  May  22d,  1863.  j 
Dear  Mother: 

I wrote  an  account  of  the  late  battles,  which,  al- 
though not  well  written,  is  true,  and  ma}'  give  you  some 
idea  of  the  severity  of  the  fighting.  Perhaps  the  letter 
may  yet  reach  you  with  regard  to  the  report  in  Warren 
about  my  watch.  It  is  true.  I have  sent  the  remains  of 
it  home.  The  photographs,  greenbacks,  etc.,  which 
Capt.  Alexander  sent  to  Younsville  were  some  that  were 
in  my  pocketbook  at  the  time.  Capt.  Alexander  is  one 
of  the  officers  of  the  iiith  and  now  acting  on  the 
brigade  staff  as  aide  de  camp,  and  one  I esteem  very 
highly.  The  shot  was  a loss  of  two  hundred  dollars  to 
me. 

Note — The  letter  giving  the  account  of  these  battles  I think 
never  reached  his  mother.  The  shot  referred  to  above  was  a minie 
ball,  which  penetrated  his  pocketbook  full  of  papers  and  greenbacks 
and  lodged  in  his  watch.  We  have  no  account  of  the  many  battles 
that  took  place  from  Chancellorsville  to  June  21st,  1863. 

Headquarters  2d  Brig.,  2d  Div.,  12th  A.  C.  1 
Leesburg,  Va.,  June  21st,  1863.  f 
Dear  Mother: 

We  left  camp  at  Aquia  Creek  on  the  13th  inst.  and 
have  been  pushing  forward  as  fast  as  possible  ever  since. 


27 

Some  of  the  time  we  have  marched  all  night  as  well  as 
day,  the  object  being  to  intercept  Gen.  Gee’s  army  and 
if  possible  cut  off  the  retreat  of  that  portion  of  it  which 
has  gone  into  Pennsylvania.  I wish  they  would  send 
me  with  the  infantry  and  artillery  now  under  my  com- 
mand to  follow  up  the  Rebel  force  that  has  invaded 
Pennsylvania.  My  brigade  is  now  camped  on  an  emi- 
nence overlooking  the  town  of  Leesburg,  and  we  are 
throwing  up  fortifications  and  digging  rifle  pits  to  resist 
the  advance  of  Gen.  Lee’s  army.  I have  Knapp’s  Penn- 
sylvania battery  attached  to  the  brigade.  The  balance 
of  the  1 2th  Army  Corps  is  between  us  and  the  Potomac. 
The  people  of  Harrisburg  are  a little  scared  at  the  few 
Rebels  that  have  paid  them  a visit,  but  they  need  not  be 
under  any  -apprehension,  as  their  time  in  Pennsylvania 
will  be  short. 

Headquarters  2d  Brigade,  2d  Div.,  12th  A.  C.  ) 

June  24th,  1863.  \ 

Dear  Mother; 

We  are  still  located  at  this  place.  Fort  Beauregard, 
which  is  a Rebel  earthwork,  situate  on  a commanding 
eminence  overlooking  the  town  of  Leesburg.  Our  bri- 
gade is  now  stationed  here  with  Knapp’s  Pennsylvania 
battery.  We  have  repaired  the  works,  and  by  the  addi- 
tion of  the  rifle  pits,  it  is  now  a stong  position,  and  if 
the  Rebels  attack  us  here  they  will  meet  with  a pretty 
warm  reception.  I think  we  can  hold  the  place  against 
three  times  our  force.  It  is  supposed  that  the  Rebel 
army  will  try  to  force  its  way  through  Leesburg  to 


28 


Edward’s  Ferry',  on  the  Potomac — which  is  about  three 
miles  from  this  place — and  from  there  to  Washington. 
The  battle  field  of  Ball’s  BluS  is  in  sight  of  this  place, 
about  two  miles  distant.  I have  been  over  the  ground 
this  morning.  It  still  bears  unmistakable  evidence  of 
the  fight  in  the  bleached  bones  of  horses  and  the  long 
rows  of  soldiers  graves.  It  is  no  wonder  to  me  after  see- 
ing the  ground  that  the  Union  forces  were  so  terribly 
cut  up.  Nothing  but  the  grossest  ignorance  on  the  part 
of  the  commander  of  that  expedition  could  have  induced 
him  to  cross  the  Potomac  and  attack  such  a p'aceas  this 
occupied  by  a far  superior  force.  The  outpost  pickets  of 
our  brigade  w'ere  attacked  this  morning  by  a small 
Rebel  force,  we  drove  them  back  without  loss  on  our 
part. 

Headquarters  of  2d  Brigade, 
Barnesville,  Md.,  June  26th,  1863. 

Dear  Mother: 

I write  a few  lines  in  haste  to  keep  you  informed  of 
my  whereabouts.  We  left  Leesburg  this  morning  at  3 
o’clock  and  crossed  the  Potomac  at  Edward’s  Ferry  into 
Maryland,  and  marching  by  way'  of  Poolsville  reached 
this  place  this  evening.  It  has  been  a very  tiresome 
march,  as  it  has  rained  incessantly  all  day',  and  we  have 
pushed  forward  as  fast  as  possible  without  halting.  This 
move  is  made  to  check  the  advance  of  Lee’s  army',  as  he 
crossed  into  Maryland  near  the  Point  of  Rocks  yester- 
day with  about  90,000  men,  with  the  Army'  of  the 
Potomac  after  him.  I do  not  have  much  faith  in  the 


29 

Pennsylvania  militia,  but  hope  they  will  be  able  to  pro- 
tect Harrisburg. 


Headquarters  2d  Brigade,  1 

Frederick  City,  Md.,  June  28th,  1863.  J 

Dear  Brother: 

Yours  of  the  21st  is  just  received.  I am  much 
pleased  to  hear  from  you.  With  regard  to  the  money 
from  father,  you  need  not  mind  the  two  last  installments. 
I will  send  him  a receipt  for  them  as  soon  as  I can  get  a 
pen  and  ink  to  write  one. 


Headquarters  2d  Brigade,  | 

Camp  near  Dittlestown,  Pa.,  July  ist,  1863.  f 

Dear  Mother: 

The  Army  of  the  Potomac  is  now  in  Pennsylvania. 
It  has  been  received  in  its  march  through  Maryland  and 
Pennsylvania  with  demonstrations  of  joy.  In  every 
town  through  which  we  pass  the  soldiers  are  treated  in 
the  most  hospitable  manner,  the  streets  lined  with  ladies 
and  decorated  with  flags,  and  quite  different  from  our 
experience  in  Virginia.  We  encountered  no  opposition 
until  yesterday  afternoon.  As  we  entered  Dittlestown 
on  the  one  side  the  Rebels  entered  it  on  the  other,  a 
fight  of  course  followed,  and  the  Rebels  were  driven 
out  and  a number  of  them  captured,  a few  more  killed 
and  wounded  on  each  side,  I do  not  know  how  many. 
The  enemy  is  in  strong  force  in  our  front. 


30 

Headquarters  2d  Brigade,  ) 

Battlefield  of  Gettysburg,  Penna.,  July  4th,  1863.  ) 

Dear  Brother: 

We  have  just  concluded  the  most  severe  battle  of 
the  war,  resulting  in  a complete  victory  for  the  Union 
forces.  The  fighting  for  the  past  two  days  has  been 
desperate  on  both  sides.  Yesterday  at  3 o’clock  in  the 
morning  our  brigade  was  attacked  by  Jackson’s  old 
troops,  and  from  that  time  till  noon  we  kept  them  in 
check;  our  men  fired  two  hundred  shots  each.  At  noon 
they  charged  on  us  in  solid  column,  and  we  mowed  them 
down  like  grass  and  defeated  them  entirely.  The 
slaughter  has  been  terrible  on  both  sides;  we  have  not 
all  escaped.  You  will  probably  hear  of  our  performance 
from  other  sources  than  myself.  It  has  pleased  God  to 
spare  me,  I was  not  touched  at  all.  I have,  however,  to 
regret  the  loss  of  many  brave  men.  All  around  me  as  I 
write  the  men  are  burying  the  dead,  the  ground  is  liter- 
ally covered  with  them,  and  the  blood  is  standing  in 
pools  all  round  me,  it  is  truly  a sickening  sight.  I think 
the  Rebels  will  make  another  stand  before  long,  between 
here  and  the  Potomac. 

Headquarters  2d  Brigade,  [ 

Battle  Field  of  Gettysburg,  Jtily  5th,  1863.  ) 
Dear  Mother: 

I write  a few  lines  to  let  you  know  that  I am  quite 
well.  We  have  had  the  most  severe  battle  of  the  war  at 
this  place.  The  fight  lasted  two  days  and  resulted  in  a 
complete  victory  on  our  side;  I passed  through  it  all 


3^ 

without  a scratch,  although  much  exposed  all  the  time. 
Our  brigade  was  attacked  by  Stonewall  Jackson’s  old 
division,  and  the  fight  lasted  with  them  for  seven  and  a 
half  hours.  At  the  end  of  that  time  they  charged  on  us 
in  a solid  column  and  we  drove  them  back  in  a perfect 
rout.  The  loss  on  our  side  was  not  very  heavy  consid- 
ering the  severity  of  the  fight.  Their  loss  was  terrible, 
over  two  thousand  dead  and  wounded  were  left  in  front 
of  our  division  alone.  Gen.  Kane  returned  in  an  ambu- 
lance to  his  command  on  the  second  day  of  the  fight,  but 
requested  me  to  retain  command  of  the  brigade,  I had 
command  all  through  the  fight,  and  I think  you  will 
hear  from  other  sources  that  I did  my  duty.  Gen.  Kane 
leaves  again  in  a few  days.  We  have  had  nineteen  days 
of  severe  marching  through  dust,  rain  and  mud,  night 
and  day,  and  marched  directly  on  the  battle  field  and 
fought  for  two  days  and  one  night  without  anything  to 
eat,  or  either  sleep  or  rest.  I have  not  had  my  clothes 
off  or  my  boots  since  we  left  Leesburg,  except  once  for 
a few  moments  to  change  my  shirt  and  socks.  I carried 
one  clean  shirt  on  my  horse. 

Headquarters  2d  Brigade,  ) 

Near  Warrenton  Junction,  Va.,  July  28th,  1863.  f 
Dear  Mother: 

The  account  I saw  in  the  Warren  Mail  of  the  killed 
and  wounded  of  the  iiith  Regt.  at  the  battle  of  Gettys- 
burg must  have  been  intended  as  a burlesque,  as  I could 
hardly  imagine  anything  further  from  the  truth  than 
that  is.  It  is  acknowledged  by  all  here  that  this  brigade 


32 

did  as  hard  fighting  as  any  other,  and  we  had  to  fight  ten 
times  our  own  force.  All  the  attacks  made  by  Ewell's 
corps  were  made  on  us,  and  the  last  desperate  charge  of 
his  whole  force  was  repulsed  by  the  Second  Brigade  alone; 
had  that  succeeded,  all  was  lost.  The  artiller}’  fire  of 
the  Rebels  to  cover  the  advance  of  their  infantr}',  was 
the  most  terrible  I ever  saw — and  I have  seen  a great 
deal  of  it — hundreds  of  round  shot  and  shell  struck  in 
every  direction  each  minute.  They  ripped  up  the  earth, 
exploded  in  the  air,  cut  down  the  trees,  and  in  fact  de- 
stroyed everything  within  their  range.  If  you  can  im- 
asfine  the  shrill  screams  of  hundreds  of  small  steam 
whistles  in  the  midst  of  hea\’y  thunder  and  lightning, 
then  you  will  form  a faint  picture  of  the  reality,  then 
yon  become  conscious  of  the  rush  of  some  invisible 
missle  by  you,  and  the  man  at  your  side  sinks  down 
or  is  dashed  headlong  out  of  the  ranks  and  another  steps 
into  his  place,  perhaps  to  share  the  same  fate,  the  next 
moment.  As  one  sees  his  former  companions  and 
friends  fall  one  after  the  other  he  feels  a sort  of  bull  dog 
determination  to  give  as  good  as  he  gets,  and  you  can 
imagine  the  picture  the  ground  presents  after  three  days 
of  such  fighting.  Gen.  Kane  did  not  remain  with  the 
brigade,  he  came  on  the  second  day  of  the  battle  and  re- 
turned immediately  after.  I understand  that  his  resig- 
nation was  not  accepted  and  that  he  has  been  assigned 
to  duty  as  commander  of  the  camp  for  drafted  men  at 
Pittsburg,  Pa. 


33 


Headquarters  2d  Brigade,  ) 

Near  Williamsport,  Md.,  July  10,  1863.  ( 

Dear  Mother: 

The  2d  Brigade  is  drawn  up  in  line  of  battle  here 
awaiting  the  commencement  of  the  battle,  which  is  ine- 
vitable, as  the  Rebels  are  now  shelling  us,  and  I write 
this  with  the  sound  of  their  cannon  ringing  in  my  ears, 
but  they  have  not  got  our  range  yet,  and  before  they  do 
I shall  have  time  to  finish  this  letter.  Their  force  is 
now  massed  between  us  and  the  Potomac,  which  is  about 
three  miles  off.  Our  forces  are  gradually  surrounding 
them.  The  river  is  so  high  that  they  cannot  cross,  and 
in  my  opinion  it  will  require  all  of  Lee’s  generalship  to 
save  his  army.  That  he  will  fight,  and  fight  desper- 
ately, there  is  no  doubt  of  that,  he  is  now  giving  us 
ample  proof.  I suppose  yoi:  have  seen  the  accounts  of 
the  battle  of  Gettysburg.  The  Rebel  army  was  de- 
feated with  the  loss  of  40,000  men.  Our  brigade  held 
the  center  of  the  line  of  the  12th  Army  Corps.  I 
stationed  the  men  so  as  to  be  practically  under  cover  of 
a ledge  of  rocks  and  the  sharpshooters  behind  the  trees. 
They  attacked  the  line  immediately  in  our  front;  when 
they  charged  us  in  solid  column  it  was  the  grandest 
sight  I ever  saw,  I gave  orders  to  cease  firing  and  every 
man  load,  and  when  they  were  within  ten  rods  we 
poured  in  such  a fire  that  they  broke  and  ran  in  con- 
fusion. The  slaughter  among  them  was  terrible,  two 
thousand  killed  and  wounded  being  strewed  over  the 
ground  in  front  of  our  division.  Our  men  in  that  time. 


34 

seven  and  a half  hoars,  fired  two  hundred  rounds  to  the 
man,  the  fighting  was  desperate  on  all  sides;  all  the  army 
did  well.  I have  not  time  to  wuite  more. 

Headquarters  2d  Brigade,  Aug.  3d,  1863. 
Dear  Mother: 

The  pickets  of  oiir  brigade  and  the  Rebels  are  now 
within  sight.  We  advanced  to  the  Rappahannock  night 
before  last  and  laid  the  pontoon  bridge,  not,  however, 
without  resistance,  as  our  advance  was  fired  on  by  the 
Rebels  on  the  opposite  bank,  they  were  soon  driven 
back  and  a part  cf  our  force  crossed  the  same  night.  A 
sharp  fight  took  place  next  morning  between  the  cavalry 
and  the  Rebels,  w'ho  were  driven  back  to  within  a few 
miles  of  Culpeper  C.  H.  with  considerable  loss. 

Headquarters  2d  Brigade,  Sept.  13th,  1863. 
Dear  Mohter: 

We  are  now  in  position  at  Racoon  Ford,  on  the  river 
Rapidan.  We  passed  through  Culpeper  yesterday  to 
this  place,  which  is  only  a short  distance  from  the  battle 
ground  of  Cedar  Mountain.  The  enemy  are  in  strong 
force  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  river,  and  opened  a 
brisk  fire  of  artiller)'  and  musketry  on  us  as  we  ad\-anced. 
We  now  hold  the  line  of  the  Rapidan  and  have  driven 
the  Rebels  over. 

Headquarters  2d  Brig.,  2d  Div.,  12th  A.  C.  [ 
Sept.  25th,  1863.  ) 

Dear  Mother: 

I write  a few  lines  in  haste  to  let  you  know  that  I 
am  on  the  way  to  Tennessee.  The  12th  Arm\-  Corps  is 
ordered  there. 


35 


Headquarters  2d  Brig.,  2d  Div.,  12th  A.  C.  ) 
Murfreesboro,  Tenii.,  Oct.  8th,  1863.  f 
Dear  Mother; 

The  journey  to  Tennessee  has  been  a tiresome  one, 
of  1806  miles  from  Racoon  Ford,  on  the  Rapidan  river, 
Virginia.  We  have  passed  through  the  states  of  Vir- 
ginia, Maryland,  District  of  Columbia,  Ohio,  Indiana, 
Kentucky  and  Tennessee.  On  the  first  part  of  the  journey 
we  were  very  kindly  received,  but  more  particularly  so 
in  passing  through  the  state  of  Ohio.  At  every  station 
along  the  road  the  ladies  had  gathered  together  to  wel- 
come the  soldiers  and  supply  them  with  coffee,  cakes, 
pies,  biscuits,  etc.,  free  of  charge,  quite  a difference  from 
Virginia,  where  everything  of  that  kind  was  worth  its 
weight  in  silver.  When  you  consider  that  the  force  that 
passed  through  was  not  less  than  20,000  men,  you  will 
see  it  was  quite  a tax  on  their  generosity.  The  best  re- 
ception was  from  the  ladies  cf  Dayton  and  Xenia,  Ohio, 
both  very  pretty  places.  After  passing  Indianapolis,  Ind., 
all  dem-onstrations  of  this  kind  ceased,  and  the  smiling 
faces  of  the  ladies,  their  “good-byes”  and  “God  bless 
you”  were  seen  and  heard  no  more. 

Headquarters  2d  Brig.,  2d  Div.,  12th  A.  C.  ) 
Nov.  ist,  1863.  / 

Dear  Mother: 

We  have  just  had  another  severe  engagement  with 
Longstreet’s  corps  of  the  Rebel  army,  in  which  we  were 
completely  successful,  driving  back  the  enemy  with 
severe  loss  and  opening  communication  with  the  army 


36 

at  Chattanooga.  Our  loss  was  very  hea\y,  one- 
fourth  of  the  force  engaged  in  the  battle  are  either  killed 
or  wounded.  On  the  evening  of  Oct.  28th  we  halted  for 
the  night  at  Wauhatchee,  near  the  base  of  Lookout 
Mountain,  after  three  days  of  severe  marching  from 
Bridgeport,  Ala.,  through  part  of  the  state  of  Georgia  to 
this  place  in  Tennessee.  My  own  brigade,  two  regi- 
ments of  the  3rd  Brigade  and  one  battery  of  artillery 
composed  the  whole  of  our  force  engaged,  and  was  under 
the  command  of  Gen.  Gear}-.  A little  before  midnight 
on  the  28th  the  enemy  attacked  onr  picket  line  in  strong 
force,  I was  immediately  ordered  forward  with  my 
brigade  to  check  the  advance.  I had  just  time  to  draw 
up  the  brigade  in  line  when  the  Rebels  advanced 
directly  on  our  front,  it  was  dark,  but  I could  hear  them 
advancing,  and  ordered  the  men  to  lie  down.  As  soon 
as  the  advancing  lines  of  the  enemy  could  be  seen 
through  the  darkness  I ordered  the  men  to  fire.  This 
was  something  they  did  not  expect,  as  they  supposed  us 
all  to  be  asleep.  They  immediately  halted  and  returned 
the  fire,  and  for  three  hours  we  were  exposed  to  a terri- 
ble fire.  We  opened  on  them  with  our  battery  also  with 
terrible  effect,  the  balls  flew  about  our  ears  like  hail  in  a 
hail  storm.  At  one  time  they  sent  two  regiments  to  turn 
the  right  flank  of  our  brigade,  aud  at  the  same  time  at. 
tacking  the  left  flank  of  the  3rd  Brigade,  but  I doubled 
down  part  of  our  line  and  drove  them  back.  Finding  it 
impossible  to  drive  us  back  and  the  slaughter  in  their 
own  ranks  so  great  they  gave  up  the  attack  and  beat  a 
hasty  retreat. 


37 


Headquarters  2d  Brigade,  Nov.  15th,  1863. 
Dear  Brother: 

The  fighting  still  goes  on  here,  and  it  is  seldom 
a day  passes  without  either  a fight  or  a skirmish.  In 
fact,  we  have  been  in  so  many  lately  for  which  we  have 
no  name,  that  we  call  it  all  “The  Grand  Skirmish.” 

Headquarters  2d  Brigade,  2d  Div.,  12th  A.  C.  ) 

Nov.  28th,  1863.  f 

Dear  Mother: 

Yesterday  was  Sunday,  and  I waa  sitting  in  my 
tent  after  giving  my  usual  orders,  “That  everything  not 
absolutely  necessary  be  laid  aside,  and  nothing  done  that 
day.”  The  weather  was  beautifully  fine  and  air  mild, 
more  like  our  September  weather  in  Pennsylvania,  and 
had  just  sat  down  to  read  a new  book — “War  Pictures 
from  the  South,”  by  B.  Gastway — with  the  intention  of 
making  myself  quite  comfortable  for  the  day,  and  had 
just  got  thoroughly  interested  in  the  author’s  fine  de- 
scription of  the  battle  of  Manasses,  when  an  orderly  rode 
up  and  handed  me  an  official  letter  and  immediately 
galloped  of.  The  letter  was  from  the  general,  sending 
his  compliments  and  requesting  my  immediate  presence 
at  headquarters.  On  my  arrival  there  I saw  at  once  from 
the  number  of  officers  collected  there  and  the  orderlies 
coming  and  going  with  dispatches  that  as  they  say  here, 
something  was  up.  The  general  shook  hands  with  me 
and  said:  “Colonel,  we  are  called  on  once  more  to  vic- 

tory and  strike  a decisive  blow,  and  with  the  help  of 
Almighty  God  I trust  we  shall  succeed.”  And  he  gave 


38 

me  a detailed  account  of  the  plan  of  operations  intended 
and  of  the  part  assigned  to  myself  and  the  troops  that 
would  be  under  my  command  and  ordered  to  report  to 
me,  with  the  usual  caution,  “To  keep  the  information  to 
myself.”  I could  not  help  contrasting  this  with  similar 
meetings  previous  to  the  battles  of  Chancellorsville, 
Gettysburg  and  other  occasions  of  a similar  kind,  and 
wondering  whose  place  would  be  vacant  next  time,  as 
all  never  meet  again,  some  familiar  face  is  always  absent. 
I returned  to  my  quarters,  where  the  shrill  notes  of  the 
bugle,  sounding  the  officers  call,  soon  assembled  my  own 
brigade  officers,  and  every  preparation  was  made  to  carry 
out  our  part  of  the  movement,  which  was  to  take  place 
at  daylight  next  morning.  Arms  were  inspected  and 
rations  and  sixty  rounds  of  ammunition  were  issued  to 
each  man.  The  regiments  moved  quickly  to  their  posi- 
tions, artillery  posted  and  everything  in  readiness  to  give 
the  Rebels  a grand  salute,  but  at  midnight  orders  came 
postponing  the  attack. 

Headquarters  2d  Brig,,  2d  Div.,  12th  A.  C.  ) 
Ringold,  Ga.,  Nov.  29th,  1863.  f 

Dear  Mother: 

I suppose  you  have  already  seen  in  the  papers  ac- 
counts of  the  battles  of  Lookout  IMountain,  IMission 
Ridge  and  Ringold,  and  will  no  doubt  be  anxious  on  my 
account.  I take  the  first  opportunity  to  write  and  tell 
you  that  I have  passed  through  all  those  fights  unhurt 
and  quite  well.  At  the  storming  of  Lookout  Mountain 
my  brigade  was  selected  to  take  the  advance  and  the 


39 

right  of  the  front  of  battle,  and  it  was  our  brigade  which 
first  planted  their  colors  on  top.  The  fighting  was  des- 
perate, but  we  charged  bayonets  on  the  enemy  and  drove 
them  out  of  their  fortifications  and  took  more  prisoners 
than  we  had  men  engaged.  The  defeat  of  the  Rebels 
was  complete,  and  they  lost  the  most  formidable  strong- 
hold in  the  South.  I have  seen  many  mountains,  but  I 
never  saw  such  a one  as  Tookout.  Its  sides  are  very 
steep  and  rocky  and  almost  impossible  to  climb  at  all, 
and  at  the  top  a perpendicular  ledge  of  rock,  which  we 
had  to  climb  with  scaling  ladders. 

On  the  next  morning  after  the  battle  of  Lookout 
Mountain  General  Sherman  attacked  the  Rebels  on  Mis- 
sion Ridge,  and  the  result  was  a general  engagement  of 
the  - most  desperate  description  along  the  whole  line — 
Hooker’s  force,  to  which  we  belong— was  immediately 
put  in  motion  to  turn  the  right  flank  of  Bragg’s  army, 
which  we  succeeded  in  doing,  and  by  sundown  the 
whole  of  the  Rebel  force  was  utterly  routed.  Prisoners 
were  taken  by  thousands,  whole  brigades  being  captured 
at  once,  both  officers  and  men.  Gen.  Breckenridge’s  son 
was  captured,  he  was  aide  to  his  father,  and  the  general 
came  very  near  accompanying  his  son  to  Washington. 
A very  large  number  of  cannon  were  captured  also,  the 
ground  was  covered  for  a long  distance  with  arms  and 
accourtrements  which  the  Rebels  threw  away.  We 
camped  in  the  Rebel  camp  on  Mission  Ridge  that  night 
and  the  next  morning  we  started  again  in  pursuit  and 
marched  until  midnight,  when  the  brigade  in  advance 


40 

of  me  came  up  with  their  rear  guard,  attacked  it  and 
captured  their  battery  and  a number  of  prisoners.  We 
then  lay  down  on  the  ground  and  waited  for  day,  and 
started  again  without  breakfast  or  supper  either,  as  we 
had  only  one  day’s  rations  when  we  started  and  none 
could  follow  us,  as  the  bridges  were  all  destroyed  and 
we  had  to  make  foot  bridges  for  the  men  and  swam  our 
horses  over.  About  ten  o’clock  the  next  day  we  got  to 
Ringold,  where  there  is  a large  chain  of  mountains,  with 
a gap  or  pass,  through  which  the  railroad  to  Atlanta 
passes,  here  the  Rebels  made  a desperate  stand.  Their 
artillery  was  posted  in  the  gap  and  their  infantry-  drawn 
up  on  the  top  of  the  mountains  on  each  side,  and  the 
whole  side  of  the  hill,  which  is  covered  with  a heavy 
growth  of  oak  timber,  was  full  of  sharpshooters.  As 
soon  as  the  head  of  the  column  got  to  the  town  the 
enemy  opened  fire  on  us  with  both  cannon  and  rifles. 
As  we  marched  down  the  main  street  of  the  town  the 
minie  balls  were  flying  around  in  all  directions.  The 
women  were  leaving  the  few  houses  that  were  then  in- 
habited in  a hurry,  with  the  comforting  reflection  that 
it  was  their  own  brothers,  fathers  and  husbands  that 
were  firing  on  them.  We  paid  no  attention  whatever 
to  the  fire,  but  pushed  on  till  we  came  to  the  railroad 
depot;  from  here  we  had  to  cross  a field  to  reach  a slight 
elevation  near  the  foot  of  the  hill  and  in  front  of  the 
enemy’s  center,  under  a most  terrible  fire  of  musketr}' 
and  artillery,  the  whole  air  was  shrieking  with  balls  and 
shells.  I jumped  off  my  horse  and  ordered  the  brigade 


41 

forward  double  quick,  and  took  the  lead  myself  in  ad- 
vance of  the  men,  and  thus  crossed  one  of  the  hottest 
places  I have  ever  seen.  I got  two  balls  through  my 
overcoat  in  the  operation,  but  neither  of  them  touched 
my  body.  As  soon  as  we  reached  the  point  I ordered 
the  men  to  lie  down  under  cover  of  the  little  rise  of 
ground,  and  all  the  fire  of  the  enemy  enemy 
could  not  dislodge  us,  as  their  balls  all  flew 
over  our  heads  quite  harmless,  whilst  ours  were 
quite  the  reverse  to  them.  After  three  hours’  fight- 
ing their  flank  was  turned  by  the  ist  Brigade,  and  they 
took  to  their  heels  and  we  remained  in  undisturbed  pos- 
session of  all  the  country,  from  Lookout  Mountain  to 
Ringold,  40  miles.  Our  brigade  is  now  here  and  one 
regiment,  the  iiith,  guarding  the  gap.  It  is  not  in- 
tended to  pursue  the  enemy  any  further  by  this  route. 
In  fact,  our  men  are  tired  out  and  cannot  go  any  further 
without  supplies. 

Headquarters  2d  Brigade,  2d  Div.,  12th  A.  C.  \ 
Bridgeport,  Tenn.,  Dec.  9th,  1863.  j 

Dear  Mother: 

We  are  not  now  annoyed  with  Rebel  pickets  and 
can  now  sleep  all  night  without  any  shells  coming 
screaming  through  the  camp.  There  is  not  a Rebel 
within  thirty  miles  of  us,  and  the  ground  that  a few 
weeks  ago  was  covered  with  their  camps,  as  far  as  the 
eye  could  reach,  is  vacant  now,  not  a tent  to  be  seen. 
The  battles  of  Lookout  Mountain,  Mission  Ridge  and 
Ringold  have  been  the  most  serious  reverses  the  Rebels 


42 

have  met  during-  the  war,  as  they  have  lost  very^  heavily 
in  killed,  wounded  and  prisoners  and  64  pieces  of  ar- 
tillery, including  the  two  celebrated  cannon,  named 
Lidia  Breckenridge  and  Lady  Buckner,  named  after  the 
wives  of  two  of  their  generals.  We  destroyed  the 
Memphis  and  Charleston  Railroad  for  many  miles. 
When  the  order  to  fall  back  was  given  I was  in  the  ad- 
vanced outpost.  War  is  a stern  reality,  and  none  but 
those  who  witness  it  can  form  an  idea  of  its  horrors. 

Headquarters  2d  Brig.,  2d  Div.,  12th  A.  C.  / 
Bridgeport,  Tenn.,  Jan.  nth,  1864.  f 

Dear  Mother: 

I write  a few  lines  in  haste  to  inform  you  of  my  safe 
arrival  at  this  place  on  the  7th  inst.,  the  last  day  of  my 
leave,  so  that  I was  back  in  time.  You  will,  I know,  be 
pleased  to  hear  that  I am  again  coming  home,  and  shall 
be  there  almost  as  soon  as  this  reaches  you  on  another 
leave  of  thirty  days,  so  that  this  time  I shall  have  the 
pleasure  of  making  you  a long  visit  at  Cobham  Park. 
The  whole  of  my  brigade  have  reinlisted  and  the  last 
regiment  of  the  brigade  goes  home  to  Philadelphia  in  a 
few  days,  and  myself  and  staff  will  accompany  it  to  that 
city,  where  brigade  headquarters  will  be  located  until 
the  return  of  the  regiments. 

Headquarters  2d  Brig.,  2d  Div.,  12th  A.  C.  ) 
Bridgeport,  Tenn.,  Jan.  19th,  1864.  ) 

Dear  Mother: 

I have  the  recommendations  of  Gens.  Kane,  Geaiy, 
Slocum  and  Hooker,  which  is  quite  an  honor,  if  I get 


43 

nothing  more.  Gen.  Geary  has  written  me  a recommen- 
dation for  promotion.  Maj.  Gen.  Hooker  also  gave  me 
a recommendation  to  the  Secretary  of  War  during  my 
absence.  I also  received  a letter  from  Maj.  Gen.  Slocum, 
commanding  I2th  Army  Corps,  a few  days  ago,  saying 
that  he  had  written  a letter  of  recommendation  for  my 
promotion  to  the  Secretary  of  War. 

Headquarters  2d  Brig.,  2d  Div.,  12th  A.  C.  [ 
Bridgeport  Tenn.,  March  loth  1864.  j 

Dear  Mother: 

I arrived  at  this  place  yesterday  with  my  regiment, 
and  we  have  gone  into  camp  here.  I was  kindly  re- 
ceived by  the  general  and  his  staff  on  my  arrival,  and 
all  of  us  were  warmly  welcomed  back  by  the  members 
of  our  old  division.  I was  immediately  reinstated  in  my 
former  position,  and  am  now  in  command  of  the  2d 
Brigade,  to  which  two  more  regiments  are  to  be  added. 
How  long  I shall  remain  in  command  I do  not  kirow, 
but  presume  until  some  new  general  is  appointed. 

Headquarters  2d  Brig.,  2d  Div.,  12th  A.  C.  ) 
April  1 2th,  1864.  f 

Dear  Mother: 

On  my  arrival  here  I found  my  things  all  safe  and 
my  two  horses  also  safe,  in  good  condition  and  looking 
very  well.  My  old  friend.  Col.  French,  had  taken  charge 
of  them,  and  I am  indebted  to  him  for  having  taken 
such  good  care  of  my  horses  and  baggage.  It  is  very 
lonely  here,  and  it  will  take  some  time  to  become  accus- 
tomed to  camp  life  again.  I shall  be  glad  when  the  war 


44 

is  over,  to  enjoy  once  more  the  comforts  of  civilized  life. 
There  is  some  prospect  of  the  I2th  Army  Corps  being 
sent  to  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  which  I hope  may  be 
the  case,  we  shall  not  be  so  far  out  of  the  world  then  as 
we  are  now. 

Headquarters  2d  Brig.,  2d  Div.,  12th  A.  C. 

April  14th,  1864.  ) 

Dear  Mother: 

I presume  you  will  have  seen  by  the  newspapers 
that  the  nth  and  12th  Army  Corps  have  been  consoli- 
dated and  are  to  form  one  corps  under  Gen  Hooker,  and 
both  the  former  corps  commanders  are  assigned  to  other 
commands.  Maj.  Gen.  Slocum  is  now  ordered  to  the 
command  of  Vicksburg,  and  will  leave  immediately  for 
that  place.  He  called  on  me  yesterday  to  bid  me  “good 
bye”  and  very  kindly  volunteered  his  sendees  in  any 
way  that  would  lead  to  my  advancement.  I have  never 
parted  with  an  officer  whose  loss  I regretted  as  much  as 
I do  that  of  Gen.  Slocum.  I have  commanded  a brigade 
in  his  corps  during  every  battle  in  which  the  corps  has 
been  engaged  since  the  battle  of  Antietam,  and  regret 
not  only  his  loss,  but  the  consolidation  of  the  12th  Corps, 
with  which  I have  been  so  long  identified.  I do  not 
know  how  the  new  corps  will  be  organized  or  who  will 
command  divisions  or  brigades. 

Headquarters  2d  Brig.,  2d  Div.,  12th  C.  1 
Bridgeport,  Tenn.,  April  20th,  1864.  / 

Dear  Mother: 

I have  just  seen  Gen.  Hooker’s  official  report  of  the 
battles  of  Dookout  Mountain,  IMission  Ridge  and 


45 

Ringold.  It  is  published  in  the  Cincinnati  Co7mnercial 
of  April  14th.  In  some  places  where  my  name  is  men- 
tioned it  is  spelled  right  and  in  some  I am  flourishing 
under  the  name  of  Coburn.  As  the  consolidation  of  the 
1 2th  Corps  breaks  up  my  brigade  with  the  rest,  I go 
back  to  the  command  of  my  regiment.  I am  assigned 
to  duty  in  the  3d  Brig.,  2d  Div.,  20th  Army  Corps.  Al- 
though the  breaking  of  any  organization  which  has 
passed  together  through  so  many  hard  marches  and  des- 
perate battles,  as  has  been  the  case  with  my  brigade, 
must  necessarily  be  attended  with  much  regret  by  all, 
still  I have  the  consolation  of  knowing  that  I leave  com- 
mand of  this  brigade  to  the  sincere  regret  of  every  mem- 
ber, both  officers  and  men  composing  it,  and  the  men 
who  never  murmured  when  ordered  into  the  hottest  fire  of 
Gettysburg  or  L,ookout  Mountain,  where  almost  certain 
death  stared  them  in  the  face,  obey  with  great  reluctance 
an  order  which  simply  assigns  them  to  another  brigade 
commander.  For  my  own  part,  although  I regret  to  part 
with  many  of  my  old  companions  in  arms,  I am  deter- 
mined to  do  my  duty  wherever  I am  placed.  I know  as 
well  as  anyone  that  it  is  no  compliment  to  me  to  be 
sent  back  to  my  regiment  after  being  in  command  of 
a brigade  for  over  a year,  having  joined  it  in  April, 
1863,  and  I am  proud  to  say  it  has  won  a reputation 
second  to  none  in  the  army,  but  I am  the  only  one  who 
does  not  complain. 


46 


Headquarters  iiith  Penn’a  Vet.  Vol.,  ) 

Bridgeport,  Tenn.,  April  23,  1864.  / 

Dear  Sister: 

Letter  writing  has  got  to  be  quite  a bore  to  me,  as 
I have  got  to  answer  all  the  letters  of  almost  even,-  man, 
woman  and  child  who  happens  to  have  husband,  brother, 
father,  cousin  or  sweetheart  in  the  army  serving  under  my 
command.  They  all  think  I must  he  well  po.sted  in  their 
affairs,  and  that  nobody  could  have  the  toothache  or 
nosebleed  without  my  knowing  it,  and  write  and  inquire 
how  Mr.  Jones  or  Mr.  Smith  is  and  where  they  are. 
They  little  imagine  the  impossibility  of  finding  them, 
unless  rank,  regiment  and  company  are  stated.  In  one 
instance  I received  a letter  from  a little  girl  of  eight 
years  old  inquiring  of  me  where  her  dear  papa  was,  as 
she  had  not  heard  of  him  for  a month.  After  consider- 
able difficulty  I found  her  father,  he  was  in  the  general 
hospital,  and  found  out  from  him  where  his  little 
daughter  lived,  as  she  had  forgotten  to  tell  that  in  her 
letter,  supposing  I knew  all  about  it.  I wrote  and  told 
her  her  father  was  well.  I always  answer  letters  of  this 
kind.  I was  honored  with  a very  fine  serenade  the  last 
night  of  my®stay  in  the  capacity  of  brigade  commander. 
It  was  a beautiful  moonlight  night,  and  I was  sitting  in 
my  tent  writing  some  letters,  when  all  at  once  bands 
struck  up  in  front  of  my  quarters,  playing  the  perhaps 
appropriate  piece,  “We  Shall  IVIeet,  but  we  Shall  I^Iiss 
Him,”  a glee  club  singing  the  air  and  the  bands  playing 
the  accompaniment.  In  my  going  out  I found  almost 


47 

all  the  officers  of  my  old  brigade  and  a number  of  others 
from  other  regiments  and  the  artillery  officers  of  the 
battery.  They  had  collected  the  musicians  of  the  dif- 
ferent regimental  bands,  and  had  come  to  bid  me  a part- 
ing serenade.  The  evening  passed  very  pleasantly,  and 
if  I had  as  large  a place  as  stepfather’s  new  house  to  re- 
ceive them  all  in  I would  have  had  quite  a house  full. 
It  was  about  i o’clock  when  they  left,  all  of  them  leav- 
ing with  the  kindest  expressions  of  regard.  This,  my 
dear  sister,  is  one  of  those  pleasant  scenes  once  in  a sol- 
dier’s life,  which  repays  him  for  many  dangers,  hardships 
and  privations,  and  the  recollection  of  which  cheer  up 
and  enliven  one  during  many  dull  and  lonely  hours. 

Headquarters  iiith  Penn’a  VoL, 

Near  Dalton,  Ga..  May  9th,  1864. 

Dear  Mother: 

I write  this  to  let  you  know  that  I am  safe  and  well. 
We  had  a hard  fight  yesterday  and  there  will  be  another 
to-day.  Our  division  lost  quite  heavily  in  officers  and 
men.  We  are  now  four  miles  from  Dalton  and  advancing 
rapidly  on  that  place.  The  enemy  is  in  strong  force 
there. 

Headquarters  iiith  Penn’a  VoL, 

Near  Dalton,  Ga.,  May  12th,  1864. 

Dear  Mother: 

There  has  been  constant  fighting  for  some  days,  but 
it  has  been  confined  to  not  more  than  one  division  at  a 
time,  for  the  purpose  of  securing  the  different  gaps  in 
the  mountains  held  by  the  Rebels.  The  loss  on  both 


48 


sides  has  been  heavy,  but  nothing  to  what  it  likely  will 
be  in  the  assault  that  must  soon  take  place.  The  loss  in 
killed  and  wounded  in  this  division  so  far  is  359,  in- 
cluding two  colonels  and  a number  of  other  officers.  I 
think  there  is  little  doubt  of  the  immediate  capture  of 
Dalton.  The  i6th  Army  Corps  has  got  possession  of 
the  railroad  from  Dalton  to  Atlanta  and  destoyed  it,  and 
are  now  moving  up  in  the  rear  of  the  Rebel  army  at 
Dalton,  whilst  we  attack  them  in  front.  As  this  railroad 
is  their  main  line  of  communication  for  supplies,  the  loss 
of  it  to  the  Rebel  army  is  ver}-  great. 


Dear  Mother: 

We  had  a severe  battle  yesterday.  Dalton  is  in 
possession  of  our  troops.  The  Rebels  are  falling  back 
on  Atlanta.  The  fighting  is  still  going  on  and  we  are 
pursuing  the  Rebels,  who  will  no  doubt  make  another 
stand  at  some  point.  I am  safe  and  well  so  far;  I do  not 
know  the  number  of  killed  and  wounded.  I have  no 
time  to  write  more,  as  we  go  into  the  fight. 


Dear  Mother: 

I write  again  to  let  you  know  that  I am  still  safe  and 
quite  well.  I have  passed  through  the  fighting  so  far 
unhurt;  we  have  had  terrible  fighting  for  the  last  three 
days,  but  we  have  beaten  the  Rebels  at  even,-  point. 
They  are  falling  back  on  Atlanta  and  we  are  in  full  pur- 


Headqr 


Headquarters  iiith  Penn’a  Vol.,  ) 
Pine  Chappie,  Ga.,  May  17th,  1864.  j 


49 

suit.  At  the  battle  of  Ressaca,  on  the  15th,  I captured  a 
Rebel  battery  of  four  12-pounders,  and  brought  the  guns 
off  with  my  regiment,  in  spite  of  all  efforts  of  the  Rebels 
to  prevent  it.  Our  loss  was  heavy.  We  took  their  fort 
also,  it  being  between  our  lines  and  the  enemy’s,  who 
made  most  desperate  efforts  to  save  their  guns.  We  had 
no  cover  of  any  kind,  as  the  opening  or  entrance  to  the 
battery  faced  to  and  connected  with  the  Rebel  works,  so 
I ordered  the  men  to  lie  down  and  fire,  and  no  Rebel 
dared  to  lift  his  head  above  their  breastworks,  if  he  did 
he  never  lived  to  tell  of  it,  no  man  could  stay  in  the  bat- 
tery and  live,  so  at  night,  having  large  reinforcements 
sent  me,  I set  the  pioneers  to  work,  under  cover  of  our 
rifles,  and  dug  away  the  face  of  the  battery  on  our  side 
and  drew  out  the  guns,  four  brass  12-pounders,  with  the 
limbers,  caissons  and  ammunition. 

I am  now  in  command  of  a brigade  again  and  have 
seven  regiments,  the  iiith  P.  V.,  29th  P.  V.,  60th  N, 
Y.  V.,  78th,  I02d,  149th  and  137th  N.  Y.  V.  The  fight- 
ing lasted  three  days  continuously,  and  there  has  been 
continued  skirmishing.  We  expect  to  overtake  the  re- 
treating Rebel  army  to-day.  We  are  in  advance  of  the 
whole  army  and  pushing  forward  as  fast  as  possible. 

Camp  in  the  Field,  near  Kingston,  Ga., 

May  20th,  1864.  j 

Dear  Brother: 

The  fighting  at  the  battle  of  Ressaca  lasted  three 
days,  and  was  most  desperate  on  both  sides,  and  resulted 
in  the  total  rout  of  the  Rebel  army.  I was  selected  by 


50 

Gen.  Hooker  to  lead  the  charge  on  the  Rebel  batteries, 
and  succeeded  in  taking  the  position  in  the  forenoon  and 
holding  it  until  night  and  brought  off  the  guns  of  their 
battery  as  trophies.  After  I had  charged  upon  and  taken 
the  fort  with  my  own  regiment,  Gen.  Hooker  placed  me 
in  command  of  all  the  troops  sent  up  to  hold  the  posi- 
tion. I can  only  describe  the  fire  we  received  by  saying 
it  was  terrible.  Grape,  cannister  and  rifle  balls  literally 
filled  the  air,  I was  not  touched  at  all.  All,  however, 
were  not  so  fortunate,  as  blue  and  gray  coats  literally 
covered  the  ground.  How  I escaped  I do  not  know,  as 
I had  my  full  uniform  on  and  took  the  lead.  After  the 
battle  was  over  the  general  requested  me  not  to  wear  my 
star  bagde,  as  it  was  only  running  an  extra  risk,  so  I now 
wear  it  on  my  vest.  The  Rebels  have  been  driven  from 
every  position  so  far.  Tunnel  Hill,  Buzzard  Roost,  Mill 
Creek  Gap,  Dalton,  Ressaca  and  Kingston.  We  have 
had  a most  severe  campaign,  constant  marching  and 
fighting,  day  and  night,  under  a sun  hot  enough  to  roast 
eggs.  We  expeet  the  Rebels  to  make  a desperate  stand 
at  Altoona  and  again  at  Atlanta.  I have  not  had  my 
clothes  or  boots  off  for  the  last  ten  days,  except  to  wash 
and  sleep  on  the  groxind. 

Camp  in  the  Field,  near  Cassville,  Ga., 

May  2 2d,  1864.  J 

Dear  Mother; 

I believe  I told  you  in  my  last  letter  that  I was 
again  in  command  of  a brigade,  how  long  I shall  con- 
tinue to  do  so  I do  not  know.  We  have  had  verv  hard 


51 

fighting,  but  have  been  successful  so  far,  and  we  are  fol- 
lowing the  retreating  Rebels  rapidly.  We  expect  them 
to  make  another  determined  stand  near  Otowah  to-mor- 
row or  next  day;  it  is  a strong  position,  but  I think  we 
can  take  it.  The  Rebels  are  about  80,000  strong. 

Camp  in  the  Field,  near  Dallas,  Ga.,  \ 
May  24th,  1864.  f 

Dear  Mother: 

I write  you  a few  lines  from  the  battlefield  this 
evening  to  let  you  know  that  I am  safe  and  quite  well. 
We  have  had  another  severe  battle  here.  The  fighting 
lasted  two  days,  commencing  at  10  a.  m.  yesterday  and 
continued  until  dusk  this  evening.  We  have  driven  the 
Rebels  from  their  position  and  back  about  five  miles 
with  severe  loss.  Our  loss  was  also  heavy.  My  brigade 
was  engaged  during  both  days’  fighting,  and  has  suffered 
severely  in  killed  and  wounded.  Every  man  from 
Warren  in  the  iiith  Regiment,  excepting  myself,  is 
either  killed  or  wounded.  Although  I was  fully  exposed 
on  horseback  during  the  whole  fight,  I was  not  touched 
at  all.  We  are  now  only  35  miles  from  Atlanta,  and 
hope  to  reach  that  place  in  three  days  more,  but  I think 
we  shall  have  some  hard  fighting  yet  before  we  reach  it. 
I have  seen  some  desperate  and  bloody  scenes,  such  as  I 
do  not  wish  to  see  again. 

On  the  Battlefield,  near  Dallas,  [ 
May  29th,  1864.  ) 

Dear  Mother: 

As  I presume  you  will  be  anxious  on  my  account,  I 
sit  down  to  write  again,  to  let  you  know  that  I am  still 


52 

safe  and  well.  The  fighting  is  still  going  on  all  around, 
and  the  balls,  shells  and  grape  shot  are  flying  past 
thickly  as  I write  this.  This  makes  the  fifth  day  that 
my  brigade  has  been  constantly  engaged  in  fighting 
without  cessation  or  rest.  The  battle  commenced  on 
the  25th  inst.  at  10  a.  m.  and  continued  on  the  26th, 
27th,  28th  and  29th,  and  up  to  this  time  is  still  going 
on.  Yesterday  the  enemy  made  a determined  charge  on 
my  brigade  under  cover  of  a most  severe  artillery  fire, 
but  we  repulsed  them  with  heavy  loss.  We  also  drove 
their  gunners  from  their  guns  and  held  their  battery  all 
day  and  the  sharpshooters  of  my  brigade  still  hold  them, 
so  that  no  man  can  load  the  cannon.  The  entire  battle 
ground  is  thick  woods  and  the  lines  of  both  armies  are 
now  entrenched  and  are  only  about  20  rods  apart.  The 
Rebel  works  are  strong,  but  I expect  an  attempt  will  be 
made  to  carry  them  by  assault  in  front  and  in  flank  at 
the  same  time.  We  occupy  the  front.  Our  di\dsion  has 
lost  over  1,000  men  in  killed  and  wounded  in  the  last 
two  weeks.  The  iiith,  which  is  in  this  brigade,  has  also 
lost  heavily.  All  in  it  from  Warren  are  killed  or 
wounded.  The  Rebels  have  their  whole  army  here,  and 
oiir  strength  is  about  equal.  Our  army  has  been  suc- 
cessful thus  far.  I think  the  enemy  intend  to  make  this 
their  last  and  most  desperate  stand. 

Headquarters  3d  Brig.,  2d  Div.,  20th  A.  C.  [ 
Near  iVltoona,  Ga.,  June  2d,  1864.  ) 

Dear  Mother: 

We  have  just  passed  through  one  of  the  hardest 
times  it  has  been  my  fortune  to  witness  since  I have 


53 

been  in  the  service.  Our  Corps — the  20th — attacked  the 
enemy  on  the  25th,  and  it  has  been  constant  fighting 
from  that  time  until  last  night.  We  have  been  under 
fire  constantly  day  and  night  for  eight  days,  and  am 
happy  to  inform  you  that  I am  still  spared  to  fight  again, 
being  unhurt  and  quite  well.  I have  nqt  been  off  duty 
a minute  since  I left  home.  We  have  been  successful 
thus  far  and  have  driven  the  enemy  steadily  back,  but 
we  shall  have  hard  fighting  yet.  We  are  about  30  miles 
from  Atlanta.  The  iiith  has  lost  94  killed  and 
woiinded.  My  brigade  loss  is  400;  the  2d  Division  1175. 
I am  sorry  to  part  with  so  many  brave  men  as  we  have 
lost  in  this  campaign.  Warren  has  suffered  severely, 
but  their  friends  will  have  the  consolation  of  knowing 
that  they  fell  whilst  nobly  doing  their  duty.  I got 
through  the  kindness  of  the  Hon.  Morrow  B.  Lowery,  of 
Erie,  a recommendation  to  the  Secretary  of  War  for  pro- 
motion, signed  by  nearly  all  the  members  of  the  Penn- 
sylvania Senate  and  House  of  Representatives,  but  I feel 
about  as  proud  of  my  “Old  Eagles,”  who  have  been 
through  so  much  fire,  as  I should  be  of  a star.  Maj. 
Gen.  Hooker  paid  me  a visit  yesterday  and  stayed  about 
an  hour.  He  is  well  pleased  with  our  progress  thus  far. 
This  makes  thirty-one  days  we  have  been  constantly  on 
the  march  or  fighting,  and  during  that  time  I have  not 
had  my  clothes  or  boots  off,  except  to  wash  and  sleep  on 
the  ground,  when  I can  get  time  to  sleep. 


54 


Headquarters  3d  Brig.,  2d  Div.,  20th  A.  C.  ) 
Camp  near  Kenesaw  Mountain,  June  4th,  1864.  f 

Dear  Mother: 

I take  advantage  of  the  departure  of  Capt.  Green, 
late  of  my  brigade  staff,  who  leaves  this  morning  for 
Philadelphia,  to  write  and  let  you  know  that  I am  still 
alive  and  well.  There  it  every  prospect  of  more  hard 
fighting  here  very  soon,  as  the  Rebels  hold  a very  strong 
position  on  our  front,  and  from  where  I am  writing  I 
can  see  them  in  plain  sight  on  the  hills  planting  their 
batteries  less  than  half  a mile  distant. 

Headquarters  3d  Brig.,  2d  Div.,  20th  A.  C.  ) 
Ackworth,  Ga.,  June  5th,  1864.  f 

Dear  Mother: 

The  fighting  is  now  over  for  a few  days.  We  have 
driven  the  Rebels  from  all  their  positions,  and  they  are 
again  falling  back.  Our  troops  now  hold  Altoona,  Ack- 
worth and  will  occupy  Marietta  this  morning.  It  is  20 
miles  from  Atlanta.  I presume  the  Rebels  will  make 
one  more  stand  before  reaching  Atlanta,  perhaps  at  the 
river,  eight  miles  from  that  point.  We  now  have  unin- 
terrupted railroad  communication  here  as  soon  as  the 
bridge  is  rebuilt,  which  will  be  done  in  a day  or  two. 

Camp  in  the  Woods,  near  Marietta,  Ga.,  [ 
June  9th,  1864.  ) 

Dear  Mother: 

I am  busy  making  out  my  official  reports  of  the  late 
battles  and  getting  my  command  in  readiness  for  another 
advance  on  the  enemy,  as  we  are  to  advance  at  daybreak 
in  the  morning . 


55 

Headquarters  iiith  Penn’a  VoL,  ) 
Near  Marietta,  Ga.,  June  17th,  1864,  5 a.  m.  | 

Dear  Mother: 

Our  Corps — the  20th — has  had  another  severe  en- 
gagement with  the  Rebels.  At  noon  of  the  15th  inst. 
we  attacked  them  and  a severe  fight  took  place,  which 
lasted  till  after  dark.  We  drove  them  steadily  back  for 
near  two  miles,  taking  their  works  as  we  advanced  and 
driving  them  into  their  rear  line  of  works,  which  was 
very  strong,  with  sharp  stakes  driven  in  front  at  an 
angle  of  15°,  very  sharp  and  difficnlt  to  pass.  We  hold 
the  position,  planted  batteries  and  built  breastworks 
also,  under  fire.  The  fighting  continued  between  our 
batteries  and  sharpshooters  and  those  of  the  enemy  all 
day  yesterday  and  until  i a.  m.  this  morning,  and  by  4 
o’clock  the  Johnnie  Rebs  had  made  a masterly  advance 
on  Atlanta  by  the  rear  rank,  and  I now  write  sitting  on 
their  breastworks  to  the  music  of  our  cannon,  which  are 
thundering  on  their  rear,  admonishing  them  to  hurry 
up.  They  will  stand  again  at  the  river,  if  not  before. 
This  kind  of  work  is  very  tiresome,  and  all  feel  one  day 
older  than  we  did  yesterday  at  this  time,  but  we  intend 
to  follow  them  np,  as  they  say  in  Georgia  “Right 
Sharp.”  I do  not  know  our  exact  loss,  but  think  it  will 
not  exceed  15  or  20  in  the  iiith  and  125  in  the  brigade. 
It  has  pleased  the  Almighty  to  bring  me  through  this 
fight  unhurt  and  quite  well. 


56 

tleadquarters  iiith  Penii’a  Vol.,  ) 
June  20th,  1864.  f 

Dear  Mohter; 

I wrote  to  you  on  the  17th,  immediate!}'  after  our 
fighting  of  the  15th  and  i6th,  and  on  the  morning  of  the 
1 8th  we  again  drove  the  Rebels  from  their  breastworks, 
and  yesterday,  the  19th,  we  again  attacked  them  with 
same  result.  Our  loss  in  these  last  engagements  I do 
not  think  very  large,  but  when  you  take  it  into  consid- 
eration that  we  have  a fight  or  skirmish  ever\-  day,  it 
will  be  easy  to  see  that  the  members  of  my  regiment  are 
decreasing  very  fast.  I left  Bridgeport  on  the  3d  of  May 
with  an  effective  force  of  573  officers  and  men  for  duty, 
and  at  roll  call  this  morning  they  niimbered  all  told, 
officers  and  men,  250.  Of  the  number  lost  130  have 
been  killed  or  wounded  in  battle,  the  rest  sent  to  the 
rear  as  sick  and  worn  out. 

Headquarters  iiith  Penn’a  Vol., 

June  23th,  1864. 

Dear  Mother: 

I write  to  let  you  know  we  have  had  another  fight, 
yesterday  and  this  morning.  We  attacked  the  Rebel 
breastworks  and  drove  them  out  again.  Our  loss  was 
only  two  officers  and  10  men  in  the  iiith.  The  Rebel 
loss  was  very  heavy.  We  have  gained  a very  important 
position.  I was  not  hurt,  and  am  as  usual,  quite  well. 
Please  excuse  this  poor  letter,  it  is  the  best  I can  do  this 
time. 


57 


Headquarters  iiith  Penn’a  VoL, 

IMillgrove,  Ga.,  July  4th,  1864. 

Dear  Mother: 

Yesterday  morning  before  daylight  the  Rebels  again 
retreated  from  their  breastworks,  where  they  have  held 
out  so  long,  and  where  there  has  been  so  much  hard 
fighting.  They  had  four  lines  of  strong  earthworks.  I 
think  they  are  the  strongest  I ever  saw,  but  at  last  we 
outflanked  them,  and  they  had  to  make  another  hast}’ 
retreat.  I happened  to  be  General  Officer  of  the  Day, 
and  in  charge  of  all  the  pickets  and  skirmishers  of  the 
division,  and  about  midnight  I received  notice  from 
headquarters  that  it  was  expected  the  enemy  would 
evacuate  their  works  that  night,  as  two  corps  of  our  army 
were  then  on  their  left  flank,  and  they  would  be  attacked 
on  that  flank.  Our  position  was  near  the  center  of  their 
line  and  so  close  to  it  that  I could  throw  a stone  into 
their  first  line  of  works.  I immediately  visited  every 
picket  post  and  ordered  onr  men  to  cease  firing  and  not 
to  return  the  Rebel  fire,  as  I wished  to  find  out  if  possi- 
ble if  they  were  moving  to  the  rear.  You  can  readily 
imagine  that  this  sort  of  duty  is  not  very  pleasant.  At 
the  least  mistake  in  going  from  one  post  to  another, 
through  the  woods  and  in  the  dark — to  carry  a light 
would  be  certain  death— wonld  bring  you  into  the 
enemy’s  lines,  and  a constant  fire  is  kept  up  on  ever}’ 
thing  seen  or  heard,  and  the  whistle  of  minie  balls 
is  constantly  heard.  Between  i and2  o’clock  the  fire 
of  the  Rebel  pickets  ceased,  and  with  the  exception  of 


58 

an  occasional  shot  along  the  line — which  extended  for 
several  miles — all  was  still.  As  soon  as  daylight  came 
sufficient  to  see  to  move,  I ordered  the  whole  line  of 
skirmishers  forward,  going  myself  in  command  of  them. 
It  was  a time  of  fearful  suspense  to  all  of  us,  the  few 
moments  occupied  in  passing  from  our  own  line  of 
works  to  the  first  line  of  the  enemy’s,  as  we  did  not  of 
course  know  whether  we  should  occupy  the  works  with- 
out opposition,  or  whether  we  should  be  fired  on  and 
driven  dack  the  Rebels,  but  we  met  with  no  opposi- 
tion, all  was  still  and  we  entered  their  first  line  of  works 
without  difficialty.  I immediately  sent  a dispatch  to  the 
general  informing  him  of  the  fact.  When  I received 
orders  to  push  the  skirmishers  forward  and  ascertain  if 
possible  the  movements  of  the  enemy,  I moved  the  line 
forward  at  once  and  passed  over  three  more  lines  of  the 
strongest  kind  of  breastworks,  on  the  side  of  the 
hill,  one  above  the  other.  The  upper  one  was 
a work  of  the  stronges  kind,  with  strong  redouts 
for  cannon  at  intervals  along  the  whole  line, 
and  sharp  pointed  stakes  driven  in  the  front,  so 
as  to  render  it  almost  impossible  to  get  into  it 
even  when  unoccupied.  It  would  have  cost  us  thousands 
of  lives  to  have  taken  their  works  by  assault  in  front. 
On  entering  the  upper  line  of  works  I found  every  in- 
dication of  a hasty  retreat  of  its  former  defenders.  The 
works  bore  strong  indications  of  heavy  loss  on  the  part 
of  the  Rebels  in  wounded,  and  I saw  a large  number  of 
fresh  graves  along  the  line.  One  Johnnie  Reb  who  had 


59 

not  been  qnick  enough  with  liis  breakfast,  we  captured. 
From  him  I learned  that  the  Rebel  army  commenced 
moving  aboitt  midnight  on  the  right,  and  that  all  were 
ordered  to  fall  back  as  soon  as  possible,  but  he  did  not 
know  where  they  were^ordered  to.  I ordered  my  line  of 
skirmishers  forward  towards  the  railroad,  four  miles  dis- 
tant, and  after  going  rapidly  about  half  a mile  I came  up 
with  the  rear  guard  of  Cheatham’s  division  of  Gen. 
Aood’s  corps,  composed  mostly  of  cavalry,  who  were 
hurrying  up  all  before  them.  I immediately  fired  into 
them,  which  compliment  they  returned  and  hurried  off. 
We  followed  up  as  rapidly  as  possible  in  skirmish  order, 
sheltering  my  men  from  their  fire  and  firing  on  them  at 
every  opportunity  and  taking  some  of  them  prisoners  at 
almost  every  step.  We  annoyed  them  much  the  same  as  a 
swarm  of  bees  would  a mad  bull.  In  this  way  the  fight 
continued  until  we  reached  the  railroad,  where  the  Rebels 
made  a stand  and  brought  their  artillerj^  to  the  rear, 
srtpported  by  a strong  infantry  force,  and  opened  a fire  of 
musketry  and  artillery  on  us  with  shell  and  grape  and 
canister.  Being  determined  not  to  give  it  up,  I posted 
my  men  behind  trees,  stumps,  etc.,  and  returned  their 
fire  with  impunity,  as  they  were  exposed  to  sight  and 
could  not  see  one  of  our  men.  Gen.  Geary  hearing  the 
artillery,  immediately  sent  one  section  of  Knapp’s  bat- 
tery to  our  assistance,  and  as  soon  as  that  opened  fire  the 
enemy  immediately  retreated,  leaving  us  in  possession 
of  the  field.  I received  orders  to  withdraw  my  skirmish- 
ers, as  our  division  was  ordered  to  Millgrove.  In  this 


6o 


affair  we  captured  150  Rebel  prisoners  and  brought  them 
back  with  its.  Among  those  killed  was  one  colonel  of 
a Georgia  regiment.  The  Rebels  lost  very  heavily,  whilst 
our  loss  was  very  trifling,  none  killed  and  but  few 
wounded.  I received  the  compliments  of  some  Reb  in 
the  shape  of  a minie  ball  through  my  coat,  on  the  right 
side,  but  it  did  not  touch  my  body,  but  made  a job  for 
the  tailor,  instead  of  the  doctor.  A large  number  of 
prisoners  were  taken  to-day,  and  I think  Sherman  will 
order  an  attack  this  evening  or  in  the  morning  on  the 
Rebel  lines,  as  they  are  in  plain  sight  of  us  again.  The 
movements  of  this  army  has  been  very  successful,  and 
although  the  whole  army  has  not  been  engaged  at  one 
time,  still  the  fighting  has  been  as  severe  for  those  that 
were  engaged  as  any  there  has  been  in  the  Army  of  the 
Potomac. 

Headquarters  iiith  Penn’a  Vet.  Vol.,  \ 
Near  Curing’s  Station,  Ga.,  July  8th,  1864.  j 

Dear  Brother: 

Judging  from  the  few  newspapers  that  I see  I think 
you  do  not  hear  much  of  the  operations  of  this  army. 
The  movements  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  has  en- 
grossed the  attention  of  all  the  Northern  and  Eastern 
papers.  One  reason  of  this  is  that  Gen.  Sherman  has 
banished  all  regular  newspaper  correspondents  from  the 
army.  All  of  them  have  to  go  to  Virginia  or  remain  out 
of  employment.  The  campaign  here  has  presented 
many  difficulties  and  hardships,  of  which  the  Potomac 
army  knows  nothing.  Sherman’s  army  numbers  to-day 


6i 


not  far  from  one  hundred  and  twenty  thousand  men. 
There  has  been  no  general  engagement  yet  w'here  all 
this  force  has  been  engaged  at  one  time,  as  has  been  the 
case  with  our  old  comrades  in  Virginia.  The  fighting 
here  has  generally  been  confined  to  a portion  of  the  army 
at  a time,  and  has  in  every  instance  been  assaults  upon 
formidable  positions  strongly  fortified.  We  are  now  far 
from  our  base  of  supplies — about  two  hundred  and  fifty 
miles — and  the  whole  distance  through  the  enemy’s 
country.  We  have  been  for  over  two  months  constantly 
on  the  march  or  fighting,  and  have  driven  the  enemy 
and  compelled  them  to  leave  every  position  they  have 
taken,  extending  over  one  hundred  miles.  The  fortifi- 
cations from  which  they  have  been  driven  were  consid- 
ered by  them  as  impregnable.  They  were  not  works 
hastily  constructed  by  the  soldiers — as  was  the  case 
with  us — but  have  occupied  the  labor  of  thousands  of 
black  and  white,  under  the  direction  and  supervision  of 
experienced  engineer  officers,  and  have  been  finished 
long  since  in  anticipation  of  a repulse.  It  is  difficult  to 
conceive  of  stronger  positions  than  some  of  these  we 
have  taken,  and  we  have  more  of  them  to  take  yet.  Our 
corps  — the  20th — has  certainly  done  more  and  harder 
fighting  than  any  other  corps  in  the  army,  and  Hooker’s 
men  are  well  known  for  their  fighting  qualities.  The 
corps  has  lost  one-half  its  number  since  it  left  Bridge- 
port on  the  3d  of  May  last.  I have  never  seen  more  des- 
perate and  bloody  fighting  than  I have  seen  in  Georgia. 
I have  seen  hundreds,  yes  thousands  fall  in  but  a few 


62 


minutes,  and  yet  seen  even  the  least  mention  of  it  in  the 
papers,  other  than  Sherman’s  laconic  dispatches  to  Sec- 
retary Stanton  of  his  having  made  an  assault  at  such  a 
time  and  place.  It  is  very  different  with  the  Anny  of 
the  Potomac.  There  every  battle,  skirmish  or  move- 
ment of  any  kind  is  fully  described  in  all  the  papers, 
with  all  the  incidents  and  details,  while  we  look  in  vain 
for  any  account  of  our  movements. 

Headquarters  iiith  Penn’a  Vet.  Vols.,  1 
Nickajack  Creek,  Ga.,  July  6th,  1864.  / 
Dear  Mother: 

We  have  come  up  with  the  Rebel  army  in  a strong 
position,  which  they  have  had  fortified  for  some  time 
past  ready  to  fall  back  to.  Our  artillery  are  now  shell- 
ing their  works  and  they  will  be  driven  out  of  them  be- 
fore long.  A large  number  of  the  Rebels  have  been 
taken  prisoners  in  the  last  few  days.  It  is  only  nine 
miles  from  here  to  Atlanta,  and  this  morning  I had  the 
pleasure  of  seeing  the  spires  of  the  churches  and  some  of 
the  buildings  in  the  town  for  the  first  time,  so  }’ou  see 
we  are  at  least  in  sight  of  the  objective  point  of  this 
campaign.  It  may  be  weeks  before  we  get  possession  of 
the  place,  but  it  is  now  only  a question  of  time.  I think 
the  result  is  certain  and  hope  we  shall  have  an  oppor- 
tunity to  rest  them. 

How  soon  he  was  to  take  a long  last  rest, 

The  rest  that  he  had  needed  for  so  long; 

It  fell  soon,  and  was  it  welcome  too? 

We  have  no  means  to  judge,  but  deem  it  was 

A life  of  trouble  from  the  verj-  first. 


63 


Cared  more  for  others  than  he  did  for  self, 

Self-sacrifice  impress'd  on  all  his  deeds; 

We  feel  his  gentle  spirit  did  not  blend 
With  the  sad  scenes  of  strife  in  which  he  mix’d. 

His  heart,  it  was  at  variance  with  strife. 

In  other  things  was  gentleness  itself; 

Forbearent  even  to  the  greatest  wrong 
That  man  can  meet  with  from  his  fellow  men, 

Ingratitude  and  treachery,  ’tis  said. 

And  truly — as  we  have  the  means  to  know — 

’Twas  only  duty  call’d  him  to  the  field. 

And  duty  kept  him  foremost  to  the  last. 

As  Nelson,  and  as  other  gentle  hearts. 

Exemplar  of  the  motto  of  his  race: 

“Spirit  is  Noble,’’  as  it  was  in  him. 

Under  which  renown  has  been  won  before 
By  his  progenitors,  at  Smithfield  one. 

In  the  crusades,  as  in  intestine  war 
’Twixt  rival  Roses,  one  on  Basworth  field 
At  Paris,  with  the  Duke  of  Burgundy, 

At  Calias,  too,  one  saved  the  English  cause. 

Not  one  of  whom  was  braver  than  himself; 

And  few  there  be  as  pure,  as  kind,  as  good. 

And  died  a hero,  in  his  country’s  cause. 

To  the  regret  of  comrades  of  all  grades. 

With  the  respect  of  all  his  fellow  men; 

The  country,  too,  express’d  its  gratitude. 

By  gift  of  stars,  he  had  so  nobly  earn’d, 

In  which  the  House  and  Senate  both  concur’d, 

But  all  too  late  to  gladden  his  sad  life, 

He  fell,  not  knowing  all  the  praise  he  won. 

Headquarters  iiith  Penn’a  Vet.  Vol., 
Chatteroochie  River,  Ga.,  July  13th,  1864. 
Dear  Mother: 

We  have  had  no  fighting  for  the  last  few  days,  and 
I am  of  the  opinion  that  we  shall  have  an  opportunity  to 


64 

rest  for  a short  time.  The  enemy  have  been  driven  into 
their  works  around  Atlanta,  and  our  troops  are  now  but 
a short  distance  from  it.  The  campaign  thus  far  has 

been  a complete  success.  What  the  next  move  will  be 

I do  not  know.  All  the  troops  have  gone  into  camp  and 
we  are  enjoying  the  first  rest  we  have  had  for  two 
months.  I have  sent  back  for  my  baggage,  and  hope 
soon  to  have  my  clothes  and  writing  desk  with  me  again 
for  a short  time  at  least.  I have  never  before  been  so 
badly  off  for  all  the  comforts  of  life  as  I have  been  on 
this  campaign.  All  the  clothes  I have  been  able  to  carr}- 
with  me  was  what  I could  put  into  the  small  round 
valise  at  the  back  of  my  saddle,  namely,  one  shirt,  two 
pairs  of  socks,  which  with  some  soap,  a couple  of  towels 
and  a tooth  brush  completed  my  outfit.  I think  you 
must  be  tired  of  reading  the  same  old  stor}’  of  fighting, 
skirmishing,  marches,  etc.,  but  that  has  been  the  order 
of  the  day  with  us,  and  I see  but  little  else.  I shall  be 
very  glad  when  I can  write  and  say  that  the  last  battle 
has  been  fought  and  that  the  war  is  over.  I was  visited 
the  other  day  by  two  officers  who  belonged  in  the  Second 
Brigade  of  the  I2th  Army  Corps  during  all  the  time  that 
I, commanded  it — over  a year.  They  handed  me  a paper 
and  requested  me  to  read  it,  which  I did,  and  you  may 
imagine  I was  somewhat  surprised  to  find  that  it  was  a 
request  to  the  Secretaiy^  of  War  for  Col.  Cobham  to  be 
promoted  to  the  rank  of  Brigadier  General  of  \"olunteers, 
and  signed  by  eveiy’  one  of  the  surviving  officers  of  the 
old  brigade.  It  happened  that  all  the  regiments  that 


65 

formerly  composed  it  were  camped  near  together  and 
the  officers  of  the  29th  Penn’a  Vols. — which  are  from 
Philadelphia — drew  np  the  paper  and  all  the  other  offi- 
cers of  the  regiment  signed  it,  entirely  unknown  to  me. 
They  told  me  they  were  going  to  send  it  on  by  one 
of  the  officers  who  was  going  home  after  having  pre- 
sented it  to  some  others  for  signature.  Although  recom- 
mendations are  no  use  now-a-days,  it  is  certainly  very 
gratifying  to  know  that  those  who  have  served  with  me 
so  long  and  who  have  risked  their  lives  so  often  under 
m)’  command,  should  have  such  a good  opinion  of  me. 
I feel  much  obliged  to  them  for  the  compliment,  but  as 
for  the  promotion,  I care  but  little  about  it.  I think 
perhaps  it  is  better  to  be  a good  colonel  than  a poor  gen- 
eral. We  have  plenty  of  the  latter  now'. 

Headquarters  iiith  Penn’a  Vet.  Voh,  i 
Near  iVtlanta,  Ga.,  July  nth,  1864.  | 

Dear  Brother: 

I am  pleased  to  hear  that  you  have  paid  my  taxes. 
They  do  not  amount  to  as  much  as  I supposed.  You 
will,  of  course,  pay  them  out  of  my  money.  I had  ex- 
pected to  have  been  paid  by  this  time,  but  there  is  no 
prospect  of  it  until  this  campaign  is  over.  As  soon  as  I 
receive  my  pay  I will  forward  the  money  to  you  by  ex- 
press. Since  I wrote  last  to  yon  the  enetny  have  been 
compelled  to  retreat  again  and  leave  most  formidable 
works.  The  loss  in  my  regiment  w'as  small,  only  two 
wounded.  The  Rebels  are  now  in  their  w’orks  round 
Atlanta,  i.  e.  “The  Last  Ditch,”  and  the  fighting  will  no 


66 


doubt  be  desperate,  but  I think  Atlanta  will  fall,  and 
that  will  end  a campaign  unparalled  in  history,  where 
the  locomotive  and  telegraph  have  followed  an  invading 
army  to  within  gunshot  of  the  enemy’s  lines. 

Headquarters  iiith  Penn’a  Vet.  Vol.,  ) 
Near  Atlanta,  Ga.,  July  17th,  1864.  j 

Dear  Brother: 

I am  pleased  to  hear  that  you  have  a prospect  of 
getting  a situation  with  a better  salary  than  }-ou  had  be- 
fore, and  I hope  you  may  be  more  successful  in  getting 
your  pay  than  I was.  I will  try  to  get  you  a still  better 
situation  as  soon  as  I can  get  time  to  do  anything  else 
but  fighting.  We  heard  that  the  Rebels  were  near  Bal- 
timore and  also  in  Pennsylvania.  There  is  some  talk  of 
our  corps  being  sent  to  drive  them  out,  but  I do  not  be- 
lieve the  report.  I only  wish  they  would  send  me  there. 
The  raid  will  enable  the  Copperheads  of  Pennsylvania 
to  see  what  manner  of  men  their  Southern  friends  are. 
They  will  undoubtedly  give  all  their  friends  along  their 
line  of  march  abundant  opportunities  to  display  their 
hospitality.  I have  no  fears  for  Pennsylvania.  Another 
Gettysburg  can  and  wall  be  fought  if  necessary.  The 
Johnnies  will  fail  to  accomplish  their  object,  which  is 
undoubtedly  to  draw  off  a portion  of  Grant’s  army. 
The  reported  defeat  of  Hooker’s  Corps,  some  time  since, 
is  not  true.  It  has  never  been  defeated  or  repulsed  yet. 
I have  taken  part  in  every  fight  it  has  been  engaged  in, 
and  I oiight  to  know.  I was  in  the  assault  on  Kenesaw 
Mountain,  and  our  corps  took  and  held  the  position  it 


6? 

was  ordered  to  take.  Sherman  did  not,  however,  accom- 
plish all  he  expected  to  accomplish,  namely,  to  drive  over 
85,000  men  from  a strongly  intrenched  position,  on  an 
almost  inaccessible  mountain,  but  the  movement  com- 
pelled the  enemy  to  leave  it  during  the  night.  I do  not 
see  the  object  of  such  false  statements  being  published. 
The  movements  of  this  army  have  been  very  successful 
so  far.  1 have  just  received  orders  to  move  immediately, 
so  must  close.  I am  quite  well.  Please  remember  me 
to  all  at  home,  and  with  kind  regards  to  yourself  and 
family,  believe  me,  ever 

Your  affectionate  brother. 

Geo.  a.  Cobham,  Jr. 


This  was  the  last  letter  received  from  Col.  Cobham 
by  any  member  of  his  family,  and  I am  dependent  on 
the  kindness  of  many  of  his  comrades  for  the  account  of 
his  death,  which  differ  very  materially.  I accept  what 
I believe  the  most  trustworthy,  from  an  old  friend  of  us 
both,  who  was  also  present  at  the  time  and  so  closely 
connected  with  the  Colonel  that  he  had  better  oppor- 
tunity of  knowing  the  actual  state  of  things. 

It  seems  that  the  Rebel  Gen.  Johnson  was  super- 
ceded  in  command  by  Gen.  Hood,  whose  first  movement 
was  aggressive.  On  the  20th  of  July  Hood  marched  out 
with  his  whole  force  in  dense  column  to  attack  our  line, 
in  the  center  of  which  was  an  unoccupied  space.  When 
the  movement  was  discovered  an  order  came  to  Col. 
Cobham,  who  was  commanding  the  3d  Brigade,  to  send 


68 


a trusty  regiment  to  complete  the  line,  and  immediateh’ 
another,  send  the  iiith  Pennsylvania,  which  he  led 
himself,  and  reached  the  point  simultaneously  with  the 
enemy,  and  in  the  encounter,  in  which  the  Rebels  were 
repulsed,  the  Colonel  received  his  death  wound  from 
some  sharpshooter  of  the  enemy.  He  was  borne  to  the 
rear  by  his  comrades,  and  his  last  words  were,  ‘‘How 
Goes  it  With  the  Boys,”  and  was  satisfied  with  the  news 
of  victory. 

‘•In  the  beauty  of  the  lilies  Christ  was  born  across  the  sea, 

With  a glory  in  His  bosom  that  transfigures  you  and  me; 

As  He  died  to  make  men  holy,  let  us  die  to  make  men  free, 
While  God  is  marching  on.” 


FROM  THE  IIITH  REGIMENT. 

[Warren  Mail.] 

We  conclude  to  publish  only  so  much  of  the  long 
letter  from  the  iiith  Regiment  as  is  of  a nature  personal 
to  the  regiment  or  its  officers,  because  the  main  facts 
have  already  been  anticipated  bt'^  the  newspaper  reports 
from  the  army.  In  describing  the  taking  of  a battery  or 
temporary  fort  on  the  march  toward  Resaca,  the  writer 
says: 

At  5 o’clock  P.  ]\I.  Col.  Cobham  received  a written 
order  from  Gen.  Hooker  to  take  command  of  the  troops 
immediately  in  front  of  the  Rebel  works,  comprising 
parts  of  the  ist,  2d  and  3d  Brigades  of  the  2d  Division, 
20th  Army  Corps,  and  if  possible  obtain  possession  of 
the  guns  and  remove  them  from  the  fort.  Immediately 
afterwards  he  was  notified  that  Col.  Ireland  was  wounded. 


69 

when  the  command  of  the  3d  Brigade  also  fell  upon  him 
by  seniority.  He  immediately  turned  over  the  command 
of  the  Tilth  to  Lieut.  Col.  Walker,  and  proceeded  to 
execute  the  order  by  detailing  50  men  without  arms, 
under  Lieut.  Col.  Kirkpatrick,  5th  Ohio,  to  dig  down 
the  front  of  the  fort  under  cover  of  sharpshooters; 
after  about  three  hours  severe  labor  amidst  a perfect 
shower  of  balls  from  the  Rebel  breastworks,  the  guns 
were  drawn  out  and  removed  to  division  headquarters. 
Too  much  praise  cannot  be  accorded  to  the  officers  and 
men  engaged  in  this  novel  undertaking,  for  the  prompt 
action  and  coolness  displayed  under  a most  severe  fire. 
Capt.  Woeltge,  Co.  I,  was  killed,  and  Capt.  Wells,  Co. 
F,  severely  wounded,  at  the  very  mouth  of  the  Rebel 
guns. 

^ ^ 

June  6th,  march  through  the  town  of  Ackworth  and 
encamp  at  Big  Shanty,  near  Lost  Mountain.  Col.  Ireland 
having  recovered  from  the  effects  of  his  wound  received 
at  the  battle  of  Resaca,  relieves  Col.  Cobham,  who  again 
assumes  command  of  the  iiith,  having  gained  fresh 
laurels  and  added,  if  it  be  possible,  to  the  high  estima- 
tion in  which  he  is  held  as  a brigade  commander.  The 
reputation  our  brigade,  and  particularly  the  iiith,  has 
acquired  for  bravery  and  coolness  in  action,  can  be  attri- 
buted to  the  confidence  of  both  officers  and  men  in  the 
abilities  of  Col.  Cobham  and  Lieut.  Col.  Walker  as  com- 
manders. 


70 


The  letter  closes  by  saying: 

Among  the  numerous  instances  of  personal  valor 
displayed  by  the  officers  and  men  of  this  regiment,  (want 
of  space  alone  preventing  the  possibility  of  giving  them 
in  detail),  special  mention  is  due  Captains  Warner,  Alex- 
ander and  Blodgett  for  the  manner  in  which  they  per- 
formed the  ardous  and  dangerous  duties  assigned  them, 
being  together  with  their  comrades  detailed  on  the 
skirmish  line  in  nearly  every  engagement  and  were 
specially  noticed  in  the  official  reports.  The  regiment 
was  also  highly  complimented  by  Gen.  Hooker  for  their 
gallant  conduct  at  the  battle  of  Resaca.  G.  W. 


[The  following  was  published  in  the  Warren  Mail 
shortly  after  the  death  of  Col.  Cobham,  and  was  also 
copied  and  printed  in  the  Retanstall,  (Eng.)  N^ews]  : 


BRIGADIER  GENERAL  GEORGE  A.  COBHAM. 

Though  foreign  born,  he  was  an  American  in  all  his 
stern,  strong  nature — in  his  love  of  that  Union,  Freedom 
and  National  Republicanism  for  which  he  sacrificed  his 
life. 

When  once  in  the  service,  Colonel  Cobham  rose 
rapidly  in  position  and  respect,  and  became  distinguished 
for  courage,  fidelity  and  practical  usefulness.  The 
fixrious  but  fruitless  assaiilt  on  the  fortified  heights  of 
Fredericksburg — the  terrible  struggle  at  Chancellorsville 
— the  masterly  beating  back  of  the  Rebel  invasion  at 


Gettysburg — the  storming  of  Lookout  Mountain,  where, 
as  commander  of  a brigade,  he  led  the  advance  in  that 
matchless  and  memorable  “battle  above  the  clouds” — 
and  the  triumphant  advance  and  series  of  battles  from 
Chattanooga  to  Atlanta — all  these  show  him  to  have 
been  a worthy  descendant  of  any  race,  and  conclusively 
attest  his  lofty  courage  in  the  hour  of  danger,  his 
patriotic  fidelity  to  the  Union  cause  and  the  land  of  his 
adoption,  and  his  inflexible  purpose  to  discharge  the 
duties  of  a citizen  and  soldier  as  a brave  man  should. 

We  have  seldom  known  a man  more  unselfish.  De- 
spising the  petty  arts  by  which  so  many  officers  become 
distinguished  on  paper,  he  never  allowed  his  doings  to 
be  gazetted  by  army  correspondents.  Duty  was  his 
guiding  star;  to  it  he  bent  all  the  powers  of  a strong 
body  and  a stronger  will.  This  took  him  into  the  ser- 
vice. This  kept  him  where  danger  was  thickest,  attend- 
ing to  the  details  of  the  march  and  the  battle,  and  per- 
forming much  of  the  hard  work  for  which  others  got 
credit.  Knowing  no  fear,  he  sometimes  exposed  himself 
unnecessarily,  and  more  than  once  narrowly  escaped  in 
former  battles. 

In  the  first  year  of  the  war,  when  men  were  rallying 
in  this  country  and  looking  for  a leader,  he  came  to  us 
and  said,  with  a sort  of  religious  earnestness  which  gave 
us  a new  idea  of  the  man:  “The  government  must  have 

defenders — the  rebellion  must  be  put  down  with  a strong 
hand — somebody  must  lead  these  men— if  other  and  bet- 
ter men  do  not,  I will  try.”  And  he  did  try';  and  he  did 


72 

succeed.  Though  unknown  beyond  his  ovv’u  neighbor- 
hood, he  infused  his  own  zeal  into  the  hundreds  who 
answered  his  call.  Consolidating  these  with  part  of  a 
regiment  at  Erie,  he  went  in  as  Lieutenant  Colonel  and 
subsequently  became  Colonel.  For  a year  or  so  he  com- 
manded a brigade,  was  strongly  recommended  by  Gens. 
Hooker,  Meade,  Geary  and  others  for  a Brigadier  Gen- 
eral’s commission,  and  would  have  received  it  long  ago 
had  he  been  willing  to  push  his  own  just  claims  to  pro- 
motion. 

In  person  Colonel  George  Cobham  was  tall,  muscular 
and  commanding.  In  his  manners  he  was  gentlemanly, 
unpretending  and  always  easy.  In  his  affections  he  was 
as  true,  confiding  and  unsuspicious  as  a child.  Always 
sober,  dignified  and  serious,  he  knew  little  of  the  vices 
and  frivolites  of  the  camp  or  society,  and  was  too  faithful 
to  his  high  ideal  of  life  to  stoop  to  them.  Always  polite, 
the  humblest  citizen  or  soldier  received  from  him  the 
same  respecthil  consideration  as  an  officer  of  the  highest 
rank.  Hence  he  was  the  idol  of  his  men  and  respected 
by  ever}^  officer  who  didn’t  shirk  his  duty.  Having  great 
firmness,  he  never  faltered  and  generally  excelled  in 
whatever  he  undertook.  In  short,  he  was  one  of  those 
earnest,  nnpretending,  true,  high-minded  men,  whom  we 
rarely  meet.  The  service  and  the  world  wonld  be  better 
with  more  snch  men  and  such  soldiers  in  it. 

As  illnstrative  of  his  devotion  to  the  old  flag  and  his 
love  for  the  regiment,  we  quote  his  respone  to  a toast  at 
a public  dinner  given  him  by  the  citizens  of  Warren, 


73 

when  he  was  at  home  on  a brief  visit  last  winter.  It  is 
a model  of  its  kind,  and  speaks  volumes  for  his  volor  and 
his  worth. 

Col.  Cobham  was  loudly  called  for  and  arose  amid  a 
perfect  storm  of  applause.  After  silence  was  restored, 
he  said:  “Mr.  President  and  Gentlemen — I appreciate 

the  honor  of  the  occasion  and  am  grateful  for  the  kind- 
ness you  have  shown  me.  I recognize  in  this  not  only 
a compliment  to  my  own  services,  but  a just  tribute  to 
the  bravery  of  the  boys  whom  I have  the  honor  to  com- 
mand. The  I nth  Regiment  have  left  their  blood  on 
nearly  every  battle  field  since  they  were  organized. 
They  have  endured  long  marches  without  a murmur, 
have  faced  the  enemy  again  and  again  without  a sign  of 
fear,  and  stand  to-day  with  a line  of  bristling  bayonets, 
which  is  a barrier  to  Rebel  occupation  in  East  Tennessee. 
The  army  are  determined  that  the  rebebellion  shall  be 
put  down.  (Applause.)  I helped  to  plant  the  flag  on 
the  rugged  top  of  Lookout  Mountain,  and  if  God  spares 
my  life  I will  help  to  make  it  float  from  the  Potomac  to 
the  Gulf.  (Great  applause.)  I will  carry  back  to  the 
boys  in  the  field  the  report  of  this  reception,  and  there 
is  not  one  but  will  clench  his  musket  with  a firmer  grasp 
and  vow  never  to  lay  it  down  again  until  the  rebellion 
is  crushed.  (Applause.)  I again  thank  you  for  the 
honor  conferred  upon  me.  I have  no  words  to  express 
my  gratitude.” 

Alas!  that  he  was  not  spared  to  see  and  enjoy  the 
full  measure  of  his  faith  and  his  ambition.  The  bravest 


74 

and  best  die  soonest.  God  knows  what  is  best  in  this 
sore  affliction  for  our  national  sin;  and  while  we  weep 
for  the  early  lost,  let  us  learn  to  emulate  their  virtues 
and  trust  in  Him  who  doeth  all  things  well.” 


75 


TRUTH  VINDICATED. 


A Just  and  T^ue  Statement  in  Correction  of  the 
Official  Records,  by  Capt.  James  M.  Wells. 


On  July  8,  1863,  twenty-five  years  ago,  in  the  city 
of  Frederick,  Md.,  Colonel  George  A.  Cobham,  Jr.,  then 
commanding  the  2d  Brigade,  2d  Division,  12th  Army 
Corps  and  myself  held  an  earnest  conversation.  Stand- 
ing in  front  of  me,  his  hands  clasping  mine,  his  lips 
quivering  with  emotion,  he  said  to  me:  “Captain,  this  is 
hard  to  bear.  That  no  wrong  may  possibly  be  done, 
however,  I shall  be  silent.”  I answered:  “Colonel  Cob- 
ham,  the  truth  shall  be  made  known.”  To  this  he 
answered:  “Not  now.  At  the  end  of  twenty-five  years, 

if  either  or  both  of  us  be  then  living,  let  the  truth  be 
made  known.”  I promised  to  obey  his  wish,  and  we 
moved  on  with  the  moving  column  in  pursuit  of  Lee 
and  his  beaten  army.  The  time  has  come  for  me  to  keep 
my  promise  then  and  there  given. 

A few  days  after  the  disastrous  battle  of  Chancel- 
lorsville,  Va.,  fought  May  i,  2 and  3,  1863,  and  lost 
through  the  incompetency  of  General  O.  O.  Howard, 


?6 

Commander  of  the  nth  Army  Corps,  Colonel  George  A. 
Cobham,  iiith  Pa.  Vols.,  assumed  command  of  the  2d 
Brigade,  2d  Division,  12th  Army  Corps,  Brigadier  Gen- 
erll  Thomas  L.  Kane,  as  previous  commander,  having 
gone  home  sick  on  an  indefinite  leave  of  absence.  Col- 
onel Cobham  commanded  the  Brigade  from  then,  l\Iay  9, 
1863,  6 o’clock  a.  m.,  July  2,  1863.  At  that  hour, 

just  as  the  head  of  the  brigade  column  was  turning  to 
the  right  from  the  Baltimore  pike  to  take  the  position 
assigned  to  it  on  Culp’s  Hill,  Brig.  Gen.  Kane  rode  into 
our  midst  in  an  ambulance  of  the  2d  Army  Corps  and 
took  command  of  the  brigade.  Colonel  Cobham  imme- 
diately assumed  command  of  his  own  regiment,  the  iiith 
Pa.  Vols.  Within  a few  minutes  thereafter,  while  the 
brigade  was  still  in  motion  toward  the  position  assigned 
to  it,  Lieut.  Col.  Thomas  J.  Leiper,  of  General  Kane's 
staff,  came  to  Colonel  Cobham  and,  in  my  presence,  de- 
livered an  order  from  General  Kane  for  him.  Colonel 
Cobham,  to  resume  command  of  the  2d  Brigade,  as  he. 
General  Kane,  was  too  unwell  to  continue  in  command. 
Colonel  Cobham  went  to  General  Kane  for  further  ex- 
planation and  received  from  him  in  my  presence,  a sec- 
ond order  to  resume  command  of  the  brigade.  Thus 
ordered.  Colonel  Cobham  turned  over  the  command  of 
his  regiment,  the  iiith  Pa.  Vols.,  to  Lieut.  Col.  Thomas 
M.  Walker,  and  resumed  command  of  his  brigade.  He 
lead  it  forward  to  the  position  assigned  to  it  in  line  of 
battle,  conducted  the  work  of  the  brigade  in  the  con- 
struction of  breastworks,  commanded  and  personally 


11 

superintended  ever^'  movement  of  the  brigade  from  a 
few  minutes  after  6 o’clock  a.  m.,  July  2,  1863,  to  the 
close  of  the  battle  of  Gettysburg.  Every  order  issued  to 
the  regimental  commanders  of  the  brigade  during  the 
battle  was  given  by  him.  Every  change  in  the  line  of 
battle  of  the  brigade  was  made  by  his  order  and  under 
his  personal  supervision.  The  fighting  of  the  brigade 
was  done  under  his  eye,  under  his  leadership,  in  his  pres- 
ence. Its  prowess  on  the  field  was  due  to  his  masterly 
arrangement  of  the  brigade  line,  to  his  personal  super- 
vision of  every  detail  in  the  movements  of  the  troops,  to 
his  inspiring  and  steadying  presence  among  the  men. 
The  character  of  the  fighting  done  by  the  brigade,  under 
his  leadership  at  that  battle,  is  attested  by  the  punish- 
ment inflicted  upon  the  enemy,  by  their  repeated  re- 
pulses, their  overthrow  and  rout. 

General  Kane  remained  with  the  brigade  during 
the  battle,  sitting  near  Colonel  Cobham  most  of  the  time. 
He  did  not  command  the  brigade,  he  did  not  issue  an 
order  during  the  battle,  he  took  no  part  in  the  move- 
ment of  the  troops,  he  in  no  way  influenced  the  fighting 
of  the  brigade,  he  was  simply  an  on-looker. 

July  4,  1863,  was  spent  by  the  members  of  the  2d 
Brigade,  under  orders  from  Col.  Cobham  in  the  burial  of 
the  Union  and  the  Rebel  dead  thickly  strewing  the  field. 
On  July  5 the  brigade,  under  the  command  of  Colonel 
Cobham,  moved  from  Culp’s  Hill,  where  it  had  done  its 
duty  under  his  leadership,  marched  to  Eittlestown,  Pa., 


78 

and  encamped.  On  July  6,  Brigadier  General  Thomas 
L.  Kane  wrote  and  submitted  the  following  report: 

Headquarters  2d  Brig.,  2d  Div.,  12th  A.  C.  ) 
Near  Littlestown,  Pa.,  July  6,  1863.  f 

Captain: 

I respectfully  enclose  two  of  the  special  reports  or- 
dered of  the  commanders  of  regiments  of  my  brigade. 
The  report  of  the  iiith  Regiment  Pa.  Vols.  has  not  yet 
been  received.  I assumed  command  at  6 a.  m.  on  the 
morning  of  the  2d  inst.,  communication  with  the  army 
having  been  cut  off  so  completely  by  Stuart’s  cavalry 
that  I succeeded  with  great  difficulty  in  making  my  way 
through  to  their  lines  in  citizen’s  dress. 

I have  to  express  my  thanks  to  Colonel  Cobham, 
I nth  Pa.  Vols.,  who  commanded  the  brigade  in  my  ab- 
sence, for  the  high  state  of  efficiency  in  which  I found 
it.  I have  recommended  this  most  deserving  officer  for 
promotion.  The  brigade  was  ordered  forward  into  line 
with  the  rest  of  the  division  soon  after  my  arrival,  and 
before  sundown  threw  up  a substantial  breastwork  as 
directed  upon  the  excellent  position  assigned  them.  At 
twilight  we  were  removed  to  the  batteries  on  the  turn- 
pike and  shortly  after  ordered  to  return  to  our  former 
position.  On  entering  the  wood,  within  two  hundred 
paces  of  our  breastwork,  we  were  met  by  a sharp  fire, 
which  we  supposed  to  come  from  the  First  Brigade,  mis- 
led by  the  darkness.  The  men  were,  therefore,  ordered 
not  to  reply,  but  withdraw  to  the  turnpike  and  marched 
in  by  another  road.  We  moved  directly  to  the  position 


79 

of  the  3d  Brigade  (where  the  noble  Greene,  by  his  resist- 
ance against  overwhelming  odds,  it  should  be  remem- 
bered, saved  the  army),  and  making  our  way  past 
Greene’s  right,  were  again  fired  upon,  thus  discovering 
that  the  enemy  had  entire  possession  of  our  works. 
Their  front  was  then  opposite  Greene’s  right  flank,  he 
holding  them  there.  There  was  nothing  to  be  done  but 
to  connect  with  Greene,  fold  down  to  the  right  along  the 
best  ground  offering,  and  strengthen  the  right  flank  as 
much  as  possible.  The  attack  in  force  upon  us  com- 
menced at  3:30  a.  m.  July  3d.  The  Confederate  Major 
General  Johnson’s  division  led,  followed  by  Rhodes’. 
The  statement  by  our  prisoners  is  that  they  advanced  in 
three  lines,  but  they  appeared  to  us  only  as  closed  in 
mass.  We  ceased  firing  occasionally  for  a minute  or  two 
to  induce  the  enemy  to  come  out  of  advantageous  posi- 
tions, where  they  paid  for  their  temerity,  but  with  this 
exception  kept  up  a fire  of  unintermitting  strength  for 
seven  hours,  until  about  10:30  o’clock,  when  the  enemy 
made  their  last  determined  effort  by  charging  in  column 
of  regiments.  Their  advance  was  Stuart’s  brigade  of 
Johnson’s  division.  The  ist  Maryland  Battalion  (Con- 
federate States)  left  most  of  their  dead  in  line  with  our 
own.  It  can  not  be  denied  that  they  behaved  courage- 
ously. Our  own  loss  was  23  killed  and  73  wounded. 
Twenty  men  have  been  missing  since  we  were  fired  on 
in  the  woods  on  Thursday  night.  After  this  repulse  the 
enemy  fell  back,  and,  although  they  kept  up  a desultory 


8o 


fire  for  some  time  after,  it  was  plain,  as  tlie  result  proved, 
that  the  battte  was  over. 

By  the  accompanying  report  of  Lieut  W.  H.  WTiite, 
Co.  G.  29th  Pa.  Vols,,  you  will  see  that  the  number  of 
Enfield  rifles  left  by  the  enemy  on  an  area  of  about  two 
acres  in  front  of  our  second  position  was  1803.  The  re- 
ports of  bur}fing  parties  will  probably  show  that  not  less 
than  500  men  were  left  dead  there.  The  whole  number 
of  men  of  my  brigade  who  were  in  this  action  was  632. 
They  justified  their  reputation  as  marksmen.  I have  not 
the  name  of  a single  straggler  or  recreant  reported  to 
me.  Ever\-  ofiBcer  and  man  of  my  command  did  his 
duty,  and  I must  on  this  account  refuse  myself  the  privi- 
lege of  naming  particular  any  of  the  numerous  examples 
of  heroism  which  I witnessed.  I should  acknowledge 
the  valuable  ser\fices  of  Lieuts.  Thomas  J.  Leiper  and  J. 
Spencer  Smith,  of  my  staff.  In  the  absence  of  Capt.  J. 
P.  Green,  Asst  Adjt.  Gen.,  Lieut.  Leiper  served  as  act- 
ing Asst  Adjt.  Gen.  with  unvarying  ability. 

The  few  we  had  killed  were  unhappily  among  our 
best  men.  Second  Lieut  Edward  J.  Har\  ey,  Co.  K,  29th 
Pa  Vols.,  was  a man  of  fine  mind  and  elevated  character. 
Lieut.  ;McKeever,  Co.  A,  29th  Pa  Vols.,  an  ardent  patriot 
and  faithful  ofificer;  Sergeant  Iffajor  Charles  H.  Lefford, 
29th  Pa  Vols.,  a youth  of  the  fairest  promise;  Color  Ser- 
geant John  E.  Greenwood,  109th;  Sergeants  E.  F.  Allen, 
iiith,  and  Anthony  E.  Thomas,  Edward  M.  Summer- 
camp  and  Jacob  Lower,  29th;  Corporal  Louder,  29th; 
and  Privates  John  Sherman,  Moreland  Campbell,  Charles 


8i 


John  M.  Richardson,  iiith;  Casper  H.  Warner, 
Thos.  Acton,  Robert  Hews,  Robert  Luckhart,  John 
Applegate,  John  Watson,  Emannel  IMcLaughlin;  James 
Morrow,  29th;  Thomas  Ocks  and  Delancey  Veale,  109th; 
were  all  patriotic  and  brave  men,  whose  loss  is  seriously 
to  be  deplored.  Young  Veale,  often  noticed  for  his 
singularly  handsome  and  bright  countenance,  was  Adju- 
tant’s clerk  of  his  regiment,  but  insisted  on  going  into 
action  with  his  rifle. 

Ver\-  respectfully  your  obedient  seiwant, 

Thomas  L.  Kane, 
Brigadier  U.  S.  Volunteers. 
Capt.  Thomas  H.  Elliott, 

Assistant  Adjutant  General. 

The  conversation  July  8,  1863,  between  myself  and 
Colonel  Cobham,  was  in  regard  to  the  foregoing  report. 
I asked  him  whether  he  had  finished  his  report  of  the 
part  taken  by  his  brigade  in  the  battle  of  Gettysburg. 
He  answered  that  he  had  made  no  report,  that  Brig. 
Gen’l  Thomas  E.  Kane  had  taken  that  honor  upon  ’nim- 
self  and  had  made  a report.  Realizing  the  position  in 
which  he  had  been  placed  by  the  action  of  General  Kane, 
keenly  alive  to  what  that  action  brought  to  him,  he 
spoke  as  I have  VTritten,  and  added;  ^'Captain  Wells^ 
having  commanded  this  brigade  throughout  the  greatest 
and  most  hnportant  battle  in  the  annals  of  the  ivorld^  I 
shall  not  be  knozvn  in  history  as  having  been  a partici- 
pant in  the  battle.  Lieut.  Col.  Walker  reports  the  part 


82 


taken  in  the  battle  by  the  iiith  Pa.  Vols..,  and  Brig. 
GeiHl  Thomas  L.  Kane  reports  the  part  enacted  by  this 
brigade.  Where  am  I?  Where  shall  I appear?  I 
certainly  fought  at  Gettysburg.'''’  The  pathos  of  these 
words  as  they  fell  from  his  quivering  lips  can  not  be  ex- 
pressed. Other  words  were  spoken  by  him,  personal  to 
myself,  which  have  no  place  here.  The  wrong  done 
him,  however,  unwittingly  it  may  have  been,  was  to  be 
in  part  repaired,  and  in  a way  of  which  he  then  had  no 
knowledge.  On  August  12,  1863,  a circular  order  was 
issued  by  the  commander  of  the  army.  Major  General 
George  C.  Meade,  in  compliance  with  which.  Colonel 
Cobham  on  August  15,  1863,  wrote  and  submitted  the 
following  report: 

Headquarters  2d  Brig.,  2d  Div.,  12th  A.  C. 

Near  Ellis’  Ford,  Rappahannock  River, 

August  15,  1863. 

CaptAin: 

In  compliance  with  circular  order  from  Head- 
quarters Army  of  the  Potomac,  August  12th,  1863,  I 
have  the  honor  to  submit  the  following  report  of  the 
movements  of  the  brigade  from  June  28  to  July  26: 

At  4 o’clock  on  the  morning  of  June  29  the  brigade 
broke  camp  about  one  mile  from  Frederick  City,  Md., 
marching  through  Frederick,  Walkersville,  Woodsbor- 
ough,  Pipeville  and  Brueville,  and  encamped  for  the 
night,  having  marched  20  miles.  On  the  30th,  marched 
to  Fittlestown,  Pa.,  15  miles.  July  i,  marched  by  the 
Baltimore  turnpike  to  Two  Tavenis,  and  from  there  to 


83 

within  about  two  miles  from  Gettysburg,  when  the 
brigade  was  placed  in  position,  by  direction  of  Brigadier 
General  Geary  commanding  division,  on  the  crest  of  a 
bill  overlooking  part  of  the  battlefield,  and  in  support  of 
a battery  stationed  on  a hill.  Here  the  troops  lay  on 
their  arms  during  the  night. 

About  6 o’clock  on  the  morning  of  July  2,  Brigadier 
General  Kane  arrived  on  the  field  in  an  ambulance  of  the 
Second  Army  Corps,  and  assumed  command  of  the 
brigade.  I then  took  command  of  my  own  regiment, 
the  I nth  Pa.  Vols.,  but  in  a few  minutes  General  Kane 
sent  me  an  order  by  one  of  his  aides,  Lieut.  Leiper,  to 
resume  the  command  of  the  brigade.  I reported  to  the 
General,  when  he  repeated  the  order  to  me.  I accordingly 
turned  over  the  command  of  my  regiment  to  Lieut.  Col. 
Walker  and  resumed  the  command.  General  Kane  being 
too  much  prostrated  to  continue  it.  However,  he  gal- 
lantly remained  on  the  field,  although  too  feeble  to  re- 
sume the  arduous  duties  of  his  post. 

Orders  were  then  received  to  move  forward  into  line 
with  the  rest  of  the  division.  An  excellent  position  was 
chosen  for  us  by  General  Geary,  connecting  on  the  left 
with  the  3d  Brigade,  on  a heavy  wooded  hill,  where  we 
threw  up  a breastwork  of  logs,  stone  and  earth,  running 
at  right  angles  to  those  of  the  3d  Brigade.  The  position 
was  a strong  one,  and  admirably  located  to  command  the 
approaches  by  Rock  Creek.  Here  we  remained  till 
evening,  when  we  were  ordered  to  the  support  of  the  3d 
Corps;  blit,  before  marching  a mile  this  order  was  count- 


84 

ermanded,  and  I was  directed  to  return  to  onr  former 
position.  On  the  head  of  the  column  entering  the  wood, 
it  was  fired  upon  from  behind  the  stone  wall  in  the  rear 
of  our  breastworks,  which  the  enemy  had  taken  posses- 
sion of  during  our  absence.  Not  being  certain  whether 
the  fire  came  from  the  enemy  or  our  own  division  (it 
being  dark),  I withdrew  the  brigade  to  the  pike  and 
marched  further  up  the  road,  and  entering  the  woods  in 
the  rear  of  the  3d  Brigade,  took  a position  in  line  nearly 
at  a right  angle  with  our  breastworks,  sheltered  in  a 
great  part  of  the  line  by  a ledge  of  rocks,  and  connect- 
ing on  the  left  with  the  3d  Brigade,  thus  partially  enfi- 
lading the  enemy’s  position.  The  147th  Pa.  Vols.  of 
the  1st  Brigade,  which  arrived  soon  after,  took  position 
on  our  right,  which  position  they  resolutely  held  during 
the  heavy  attack  next  morning.  At  3 o’clock  next 
morning,  July  3,  the  enemy’s  skirmishers  commenced 
firing  on  us,  by  4 o’clock  the  firing  had  become  general 
along  the  whole  line  on  both  sides.  The  regiments  re- 
lieved one  another,  one  at  a time,  long  enough  to  re- 
plenish their  supply  of  ammunition  and  wipe  out  their 
rifles.  The  firing  was  kept  np  briskly  on  both  sides 
with  but  little  intermission  till  about  10  o’clock  a.  m., 
when  a desperate  charge  was  made  on  our  lines.  The 
enemy  advanced  in  columns,  closed  in  mass,  determined 
to  make  one  last  desperate  effort  to  drive  us  back  at  the 
point  of  the  bayonet.  They  were,  however,  driven  back 
with  heavy  loss,  and  retired  in  confusion,  retiring  beyond 
the  line  of  breastworks. 


85 

The  brigade  was  now  relieved  for  a short  time  by  a 
brigade  of  the  6th  Army  Corps.  About  2 p.  m.  the  bri- 
gade again  took  possession  of  the  breastworks,  relieving 
the  other  brigade  (Shaler’s).  Occasional  firing  was  kept 
up  during  the  night,  and  by  daylight  the  enemy  with- 
drew from  the  front  of  our  lines.  The  29th,  the  109th 
and  the  iiith  Regiments,  Pennsylvania  Volunteers,  are 
deserving  of  much  praise  for  their  courage  and  good 
conduct  during  the  severe  fire  to  which  they  were  ex- 
posed. Col.  Rickards,  29  Pa.  Vols.,  Lieut.  Col.  Walker^ 
I nth  Pa.  Vol.,  and  Capt.  Gimber,  109th,  who  com- 
manded the  regiment,  also  deserve  special  mention  for 
their  gallant  conduct  on  this  occasion.  Our  loss  was  23 
killed,  66  wotinded  and  9 missing.  On  the  4th  the 
brigade  remained  on  the  battlefield;  burial  parties  were 
sent  out  with  every  available  pick  and  shovel  to  bury 
the  dead.  Our  own,  as  well  as  a large  number  of  the 
enemy’s,  were  buried,  but  a very'  large  number  of  the 
Rebel  dead  were  left  unburied  on  the  field. 

On  the  5th,  left  the  battlefield  and  marched  to 
Littlestown,  10  miles. 

July  7,  left  camp,  and,  marching  through  Brace- 
ville,  Pipeville,  Woodsborough  and  Walkersville,  en- 
camped for  the  night;  distance  26  miles. 

July  8,  started  at  4:30  a.  m.,  marched  through 
Frederick  and  Jefferson;  distance  18  miles. 

July  9,  broke  camp  at  5 a.  m.  marched  to  Burkes- 
ville,  crossed  the  Blue  Ridge  at  Crampston  Gap,  en- 
camped at  Rohrersville;  distance  9 miles. 


86 


July  lo,  started  at  5 a.  m.,  marched  through 
Keedysville,  and  took  up  position  in  line  on  right  of  the 
ist  Brigade,  near  the  edge  of  a piece  of  woods.  July  ii, 
advanced  about  3 miles;  took  position  on  the  left  of 
line  of  battle,  threw  out  skirmisners  in  front  and  on  the 
left  flank. 

July  12,  changed  position  about  one  mile  to  the 
right.  July  13,  about  i a.  m.  again  changed  position 
half  a mile  to  the  right,  on  a rise  of  ground  near  Saint 
James’  College  and  Marsh  Run.  Here  an  excellent  and 
substantial  breastwork  of  rails  and  earth  was  constructed 
under  the  personal  direction  and  supervision  of  the  Gen- 
eral commanding  the  division.  July  14,  the  brigade  re- 
mained in  the  entrenchments  ready  to  support  the  troops 
that  advanced  on  the  enemy’s  position  at  5 a.  m.  of  this 
day. 

July  15,  left  entrenchments  about  7 a.  m.,  marched 
through  Sharpsburg  and  past  the  Antietam  Iron  Works 
and  encamped  near  the  foot  of  the  IVIaryland  Heights, 
having  marched  17  miles.  Jul}^  16,  left  camp  at  5 a.  m. 
and  marched  by  way  of  Harper’s  Ferry  to  Pleasant  Val- 
ley, where  we  encamped,  and  remained  until  the  19th,  to 
obtain  necessary  clothing  and  equippage  for  the  troops; 
distance,  9 miles. 

July  19,  broke  camp  at  4 a.  m.;  crossed  the  Potomac 
and  the  Shenandoah  at  Harper’s  Ferr}’,  and  marched  up 
London  Valley  to  near  Hillsborough,  Va.,  distance,  15 
miles.  July  20,  left  at  4:30  a.  m.;  marched  through 
Woodgrove  and  Slabtown  and  encamped  near  Snicker's 


87 

Gap,  remaining  until  the  23d;  distance,  about  10  miles; 
broke  camp  at  5 a.  m.  marching  through  Snickersville  to 
Upperville  and  Paris,  relieving  a brigade  of  the  Second 
Anny  Corps  stationed  at  Ashby’s  Gap;  left  at  3:30  p.  m. 
and,  marching  through  Milltown  and  Forestville,  en- 
campdd  for  the  night  near  Manassas  Gap;  distance 
marched,  23  miles. 

July  24,  marched  through  Manassas  Gap  to  near 
Front  Royal,  and  returned  and  encamped  for  the  night 
near  Piedmont;  distance,  18  miles.  July  25,  left  camp  at 
5:30  a.  m.  and  marched  through  White  Plains  to  near 
Thoroughfare  Gap  and  encamped  for  the  night;  distance, 
16  miles.  July  26,  marched  at  5 a.  m.  through 
Thoroughfare  Gap,  Haymarket,  Greenwich  and  Catlett’s 
Station,  and  encamped  near  Warrenton  Junction,  dis- 
tance, 22  miles. 

The  distance  marched  from  June  28  to  July  26  was 
25034  miles. 

Very  respectfully  your  obedient  servant. 

Geo.  a.  Cobham,  Jr., 
Colonel  Commaning  2d  Brigade. 
Capt.  Thomas  H.  Elliott, 

A.  A.  A.  G.  2d  Div.,  12  Army  Corps. 

Both  of  the  foregoing  reports  have  been  taken  from 
the  official  records  of  the  War  Department,  Washington, 
D.  C.  History,  as  generally  seen  and  read,  records 
Brigadier  General  Thomas  E.  Kane  as  the  commander 
of  the  2d  Brigade,  2d  Division,  12th  Army  Corps  at  the 


88 


battle  of  Gettysburg,  Pa.  Maps  of  that  battlefield  por- 
traying the  positions  of  the  troops  there  engaged,  place 
Kane's  brigade  on  Culp’s  Hill.  For  twenty-five  years 
citizens  of  this  republic,  visiting  the  scene  of  that 
momentous  and  all-important  struggle,  have  had  pointed 
out  to  them  the  ground  where  “Kane’s  brigade  so  nobly 
fought.”  The  name  of  the  hero,  Cobham,  who  did  com- 
mand the  2d  Brigade,  2d  Division,  12th  Anny  Corps 
July  2 and  3,  1863,  on  that  bloody  field,  has  seldom  been 
spoken  by  guide  or  visitor  on  the  spot  w’here,  under  his 
leadership,  not  Kane’s,  Cobhani’s  brigade  bravely  stood 
and  fought  and  won.  Hereafter  let  the  good  citizens  of 
Warren,  Pa.,  in  whose  midst  repose  the  remains  of  Geo. 
A.  Cobham,  Jr.,  know  and  speak  the  truth  of  histor)- 
here  written.  They  know  full  well  the  modest,  manly 
life  he  led  among  them  from  boyhood  to  mature  man- 
hood. Let  them  also  know  that,  from  first  to  last,  in 
camp  and  field,  he  lost  none  of  the  graces  that  won  their 
respect;  that  in  the  service  of  his  countiy,  in  sunshine 
and  in  storm,  in  the  midst  of  victory  or  defeat,  every- 
where^ he  retained  his  self-respect,  was  always  the  courte- 
ous, gentleman,  a man  of  upright,  stainless  life,  generous 
in  his  judgments,  just  in  deed  and  word,  loyal  in  his 
friendships,  wise  in  counsel,  guardful  of  the  interests  of 
his  men,  self-poised,  gallant  and  able  in  command,  in 
battle  supremely  brave.  As  a regimental  commander,  he 
had  no  superior.  As  commander  of  brigade,  he  had  few 
equals.  His  modest  demeanor,  his  sterling  worth,  his 
blameless  life,  his  cool  and  steadfast  courage  and  his 


89 

ability  were  recognized  and  appreciated  by  leaders  such 
as  the  dashing  Geary,  the  heroic  Hooker,  the  matchless 
warrior,  George  H.  Thomas.  These  men,  whose  deeds 
are  historic,  whose  judgment  of  men  was  unerring,  knew 
his  merits,  esteemed  and  honored  him.  In  his  death, 
they  confessed  a loss  to  the  service  and  to  the  cause  for 
which  he  died  greatly  to  be  deplored. 

The  promise  I made  twenty-five  years  ago  is  fulfilled. 
My  duty  to  my  friend  is  done.  In  the  doing,  I find  a 
bounding  joy,  which  only  the  loyal  in  heart  can  feel. 
His  memory,  redolent  of  kindly  words,  of  manly,  heroic 
deeds,  I confidently  leave  in  the  keeping  of  my  comrades, 
whom  he  led  and  loved,  and  in  who.se  midst  he  fell 
bravely  fighting  for  his  flag,  and  nobly  died. 

James  M.  Wells, 
Captain  Co.  F,  iiith  Pa.  Vols. 


